Over 30 lakh devotees converge at Sangam for Paush Poornima

Allahabad, Jan 3 (UNI) Over 30 lakh devotees took a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers on the auspicious occasion of 'Paush Poornima' -- the first bathing festival of the month-long Ardh Kumbh Mela.

Ardh Kumbh Mela officer Pragyan Ram Mishra told UNI this evening though the auspicious bathing timing started at 0430 hrs but pilgrims started thronging the sandy bed of river Ganga from around 0300 hrs.

Mr Mishra claimed following the release of 1505 cusec water from the Narora dam from the last one week, the water level of Ganga has increased and the devotees received ''clean'' water for the bathing.

Senior Superintendent of Police Mela, Rajiv Sabbarwal said only one case of drowning was received, where of a six-year-old boy was about to drown when he was saved by the jawans present there.

Otherwise, the bathing passed off peacefully.

Notwithstanding the chilly cold, over 30,000 saints, mahatamas and devotees thronged on the sandy bed of river Ganga early in the morning and took a holy dip in the icy cold water of the river.

Besides, mahatamas and various 'akharas', about 2.50 lakh kalpvasis are already staying in the tent city of Prayag, which becomes one of the most populated city in the world on 'Mauni Amavasya'.

'Paush Poornima' would be first of six main bathing festivals during the month-long Ardh Kumbh Mela, being held every six years at the banks of the Sangam. Other important bathing festivals are January 13 and 14 'Makar Sankranti', January 19 'Mauni Amavasya', January 23 'Vasant Panchami', February 2 'Maghi Poornima', February 16 'Mahashivratri' -- the last day of the biggest religious tempest.

The 'shahi snan' would be started from January 13, that is Makar Sankranti.

It is the confluence of the holy rivers -- Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati -- that make Prayag one of the holiest spots in Hinduism.

Inside the Allahabad Fort, there is 'Saraswati Koop', which is said to be the source of the Saraswati river.

The month long (Jan-Feb) Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh fairs at Allahabad are such great momentous events where one can realise the essence of India's great religious traditions. The events are held here after every twelve and six years on the sandy bed of the river Ganga.

People believe that bathing during the Ardh Kumbh Mela at the Sangam washes away the sins of generations. The Bathing Ritual at the Sangam is equal to 1,000 Ashwamedha Yajnas (horse sacrifices).

They believe that Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman had visited Sangam during their 14-year-exile. Lord Ram also had to take a dip in the river to wash away his sin of killing Ravan who was a Brahmin.

Pandavas also visited the holy city. Perhaps, there are very few places parallel to Allahabad which are described with great reverence in ancient scriptures as Prayag - Prayagraj or Teertharaj, that is, 'the holiest pilgrimage centre'. Then, with the added attractions of Kumbh&Ardh Kumbh events, hailed as the world's largest congregation of devotees, its glory has doubled.

According to Hindu Mythology, the Gods and the Demons once churned the oceans in search of the 'amrit' (nectar) for immortality. As soon as the pitcher containing nectar was retrieved, a struggle started between the two to wrest control of the same. During this, the pitcher of Amrit was kept at four different places -- Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Nasik and Ujjain -- making them hallowed and sacred.

Since then, when the planets come in a particular position, Kumbh festival is celebrated at these four places, while Ardh Kumbh is held only at Hardwar and Allahabad.

The astrologers believe that such planetary position is the most auspicious occasion for spiritual realisation which obviously doubles the importance of the Sangam. The event, in actuality, a 'Bathing ritual'.

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