2 lakh people take holy dip in Ganga Sagar

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Ganga Sagar (South 24 Parganas), Jan 14: About two lakh people fromall across the country took a holy dip in Ganga sagar at the confluenceof river Ganga and Bay of Bengal on Makar Sankranti, one of the mostauspicious day for a holy dip, today.

South 24 Paraganas District Magistrate Roshni Sen here today said,''No untoward incident or accident has been reported till now in themela.'' Security had been beefed up from last night to check terroristattacks or any untoward incidents. However, a few hundred people havelost their relatives in the fair.

''Coast guard and police are keeping close vigil on the area.

Helipcopters, mechanised boats and hovercrafts have been deployedto monitor the entire area round the clock. Several close circuitcameras have been placed at various locations,'' she said.

''People entering the mela with luggages had been continuously checked with metal detectors,'' she added.

The number of pilgrims, however, are less this time as Sagar mela coincided with Kumbh mela in Allahabad.

Sadhus, specially the Naga sadhus, are the main attraction of themela. The pilgrims thronged to the camps of the Naga sadhus to taketheir blessings.

The pilgrims also offered their prayers in Kapilmuni ashram.

Sankaracharya of Puri Swami Nischalananda is also in Sagar Islandcurrently to take a dip at the annual holy festival on the occasion ofMakar Sankranti.

He had said earlier that from January 3, he had started eveningaarti on Puri's sea beach and this would be done once a year on theMakar Sankranti.

To support the cause of environment and the country's unity andintegrity, he would start 'Samudra aarti' at Gangasagar on MakarSankranti day every year, he had said.

Meanwhile, the state government has set up temporary shelters atMaidan in Kolkata for the pilgrims and sadhus returning from the sagarmela after taking holy dip.


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