Large turnout on Somvati Amavasya

Hardwar, July 24 (UNI) Around five lakh pilgrims, mostly from western UP, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, took a holy dip in the Ganges on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya today.

Somvati Amavasya of the month of Sawan, which is the dearest month of Lord Shiva, is considered very auspicious according to Hindu mythology.

The Snan (holy bath) started early in the morning. Devotees in large numbers also anointed Lord Shiva with Ganga jal in Shiva temples, especially in Neelkanth Mahadev near Rishikesh and Daksh at Kankhal.

The mela administration made elaborate security arrangements and enforced a strict traffic plan. All the mela arrangements were personally supervised by District Magistrate R K Sudhanshu and SSP Abhinav Kumar.

The Snan passed off peacefully.

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