2-day Makar Sankranti: Record 1.25 cr take holy dip at Sangam

Ardh Kumbh Nagar, Jan 15: A record 1.25 crore devotees braved biting cold to take a holy dip in Sangam on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, which was observed for two days this year.

Makar Sankranti, the day when sun enters into capricorn, is an auspicious festival for Hindus, who take holy dip in river Ganga.

This year, as the sun entered capricorn in the evening, the festival was celebrated for two days -- yesterday and today.

While over 50 lakh devotees took the holy dip yesterday, over 70 lakh reached the Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati -- today for the ritual.

According to Hindu mythology, a spiritual dip at Sangam is said to wash all the sins and free humans from the cycle of birth.

The site of Sangam is a treat to the eyes. One can see the muddy and pale yellow water of the Ganges merging with green water of Yamuna. The Ganges is only 4-ft-deep, while Yamuna is 40-ft-deep near the point of nexus.

Makar Sankranti was also marked as the first of the four 'Shahi Snans' (Royal Bath) during the month-long Ardh Kumbh Mela- Mauni Amvaasya (Jan 19), Basant Panchami (Jan 23) and Mahashivratri (Feb 15).

The bathing continued since last night with hordes of devotees thronging the mela area, divisional commissioner R N Tripathi told UNI here.

As many as 32 ghats have been set up by the mela administration for pilgrims drawn from every nook and corner of the country.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made in-and-around the mela area in view of the apprehension of a terrorist strike during the fair.

Over nine crore pilgrims are expected to visit the mela, which commenced on January 3 to be concluded on February 16, the Maha Shivratri.

The bathing was conducted smoothly and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere, Mela Officer Pragyan Ram Mishra and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajiv Sabharwal told UNI here.

UNI

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