ANKARA 

At least 43 people, including 37 children, drowned during a Hindu festival in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, the PTI news agency reported on Thursday.  

The incidents occurred in 15 different districts and three people are still missing.

The festival Jivitputrika was held on Wednesday.

"A total of 43 bodies have been recovered so far. Further search operation is on,” the disaster management authority said.

During the festival, Hindu women fast for the well-being of their children and both take holy dips.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid