Congregation of sadhus for Ardh Kumbh Mela begins

Allahabad, Dec 30 (UNI) Scores of vehicles have begun to bring hundreds of sadhus, pilgrims and kalpvasis into the belly of the holy city everyday for a 'spiritual cleansing'.

The millennium's first Ardh Kumbh begins on January 3 'Paush Purnima' bathing festival at the Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers here.

Unmindful of the mercury downslide, these visitors huddle on the bank of the river in the darkness of pre-dawn hours and take holy dip in the icy cold water, believing it would absolve them of their sins.

The devotees are arriving for the month-long Ardh Kumbh from all over the country.

About 80 lakh devotees are expected to arrive from various parts of the country for the mela's first bathing on January 3.

Mela officials claim all preparations were complete and they were eagerly awaiting the arrival of all devotees.

Of the 13 akharas, two have already made their royal entry in the mela area. The whole area, including the Sangam nose and various ghats have been lit with flood lights.

However, the saints, sadhus and monks residing in the mela area are complaining of lack of basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity and sanitation.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made in-and-around Allahabad in view of the recent terrorists attacks in Varanasi, Ayodhya and other parts of the country.

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