At least 576 Christians from 122 families in seven Orissa villages on Sunday "re-embraced" Hinduism at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad-sponsored ceremony at Bijepur village in the district of Bargarh, a state VHP leader said.

The persons had filed affidavits before a local magistrate expressing their desire of homecoming prior to the religious function, local head of VHP Satyanarayan Panda told rediff.com.