Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered along the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Kurigram to participate in the sacred Astami Snan ritual. The ritual, which started at 4 a.m., is expected to continue until 5 p.m. along a two-kilometer stretch from Ramna Bandar to Putikata in Chilmari. To accommodate the pilgrims, 22 educational institutions were opened for lodging, while 44 temporary booths were set up for changing clothes and overnight stay. Security has been intensified to ensure safety during the event.