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.

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.