Dozens of children drowned while bathing in rivers and ponds in rituals that were part of a three-day Hindu festival in eastern India’s Bihar state, officials said.

The three-day Jivitputrika festival celebrates children's wellbeing every year and is also marked with mothers fasting for them. Officials in Bihar said many people ignored dangerous water levels in rivers while bathing to celebrate the festival.

At least 46 died in a ceremony that involves bathing in local rivers and streams in Bihar State, where recent rains had raised water levels.

By bno - Chennai Office At least 46 people, including 37 children, drowned in the Indian state of Bihar as they bathed in rivers and lakes during the Hindu ‘Jitiya’ festival. The state's water bodies have been overflowing following heavy rains,

At least 43 people, including 37 children, drowned in rivers and ponds across India's eastern state of Bihar during a three-day Hindu festival, authorities said on Thursday. The devotees performed holy dips on Wednesday for Jivitputrika,