About 2 lakh people take holy dip in Ganga Sagar

Ganga Sagar, South 24 Parganas, Jan 14 (UNI) About two lakh people from all across the country took a holy dip in Ganga sagar at the confluence of river Ganga and Bay of Bengal on Makar Sankranti, one of the most auspicious day for a holy dip, today.

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

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

Helicopters, mechanised boats and hovercrafts have been deployed to monitor the entire area round the clock. Several close circuit cameras have been placed at various locations,'' she said.

''People entering the mela with luggage had been 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 the mela. The pilgrims thronged to the camps of the Naga sadhus to take their blessings.

The pilgrims also offered their prayers at Kapilmuni ashram.

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

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

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

Meanwhile, the state government has set up temporary shelters at Maidan in Kolkata for the pilgrims and sadhus returning from the Sagar Mela after taking the holy dip.

UNI