Shocking footage shows thousands of people bathing in 'holy' river polluted by toxic foam

Footage caught from the banks of a river that many consider to be holy shows people bathing, despite toxic foam taking over its surface.

The Yamuna River flows through several of India's states, traveling about 855 miles south from the Himalayas.

It is a tributary of the holy Ganges River, which is sacred in the Hindu tradition and is personified in the goddess named Ganga.

However, as well as being sacred, the Ganges River also faces threats from human and industrial pollutants, which can make it unsafe for swimming.

But in footage caught along the side of the Yamuna River, which is located primarily in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh states, locals do not seem phased by the fact that foam has taken over much of the river's surface.

Thousands of people in India celebrated the festival of Chhath Puja for the Hindu sun god Surya this month, with many entering the river as part of the celebrations.

According to a CNN report published when the foam appeared last year, it is a mixture of sewage and industrial waste which contains high levels of ammonia and phosphates, which can lead to respiratory and skin problems.

However, locals took it upon themselves to walk and play among the foam, with people even seen covered in the white froth.

The Yamuna River is covered in the froth (Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

The Yamuna River is covered in the froth (Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Viewers were left shocked by the sight as footage emerged online, with one Reddit user writing: "As an Indian, I would appreciate seeing these videos exposed and going viral. Perhaps our government will notice such issues and still acts like everything is okay."

Another added: "Does nobody get sick from this, or...?"

CNN reported last year that the arrival of the foam coincided with hazardous levels of pollution which led to many sicknesses in the area, even forcing some primary schools and offices to close as a result.

Foam continues to cover the water now, so much so that a high court warned locals about going in the water, according to Barrons.

"Please understand you will fall sick," the court said in its warning, adding: "We can't allow you to go into the water."

However, one resident, housewife Krishnawati Devi, claimed she was not concerned about falling ill from the pollutants.

"I believe the waters of the river are pure and blessed by the sun god himself," she said. "Nothing will happen to me - god will take care of everything."