More than 82,000 people took the traditional plunge into icy rivers and ponds during a religious holiday here Saturday, local emergency authorities said.

Throughout Moscow, 56 sites were prepared for people to bath and celebrate the holiday, the Emergency Situations Ministry's local branch said.

Following an old Russian tradition, bathers usually dive into cross-shaped holes in icy lakes and rivers three times to purify themselves.

Temperature in the capital city remained at minus 13 degrees Celsius on Saturday with light snow falling.

Police and rescuers were deployed at bathing places to ensure people's safety and public order.

So far, no incidents or injuries have been reported at the bathing sites.