A "HOUSE OF prayer" is being opened at the heart of a Hindu religious festival that draws the biggest crowds in the world.

Several million people are expected to travel to Haridwar during the next few weeks, seeking forgiveness of sin, and immortality, by bathing in the waters of the sacred River Ganges during the three-yearly Kumbh Mela event.

While the pilgrims gather for their ritual cleansings, missionaries and lay volunteers will be meeting elsewhere in the city to pray that the Hindu seekers find what they are looking for - in Christ. Around 200 Christians are due to join the prayer effort, being coordinated by Youth With A Mission, along with several other groups.

The prayer project is part of a wider initiative involving several missionary organizations and church groups - including Operation Mobilization-which will also see volunteers handing out specially produced evangelistic leaflets to pilgrims as they pass through surrounding towns on their way to Haridwar, in the country's northern Uttar Pradesh state.

As the last Kumbh Mela of the millennium, this year's festival - which began last month and runs into May-is predicted to draw a larger-than-usual attendance. Every three years, several million trek from across the country to one of four cities said to be one of the places on earth to which a drop of the nectar of immortality fell.

YWAM workers began praying for visitors to the festival in 1995, and are organizing all-day intercession meetings at their prayer center during the Kumbh Mela. Individuals will also visit the bathing sites to pray discreetly among the crowds, which are bigger on the days astrologers say are more spiritually significant.

"In many ways this event is the epitome of Hinduism, so we believe it is important to focus prayer on the festival," said YWAM leader Greg Wiley. "Christians who aren't able to come to Haridwar can join with us in prayer, and be part of pushing back the darkness so that a significant spiritual breakthrough in this part of the world will result, with many thousands coming into the kingdom of God and churches planted throughout India."

The second annual 30 Days Hindu Prayer Focus (May 17 to June 15) has been arranged to coincide with the latter part of Kumbh Mela. A daily prayer guide booklet, featuring background information on India and Hinduism, is available from YWAM's International Communications Network offices: PO Box 26479, Colorado Springs, CO 80936, USA. See 30 Days Hindu Prayer Focus

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