Lakhs of pilgrims take holy dip on Basant Panchmi

Ardh Kumbh Nagar, Jan 23: Braving early morning chill and fog, lakhs of pilgrims along with thousands of naga sadhus took a holy dip in 'Sangam', the confluence of holy river Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati on the occasion of Basant Panchmi today.

The festival also marked the last 'shahi snan' (royal bath) of the month-long religious fair undertaken by the sadhus drawn from 12 akharas.

The Awahan akhara, which had boycott the previous shahi snans demanding separate time at the ghat, continued with the boycott.

The first in the series of akharas to take the holy dip was Mahanirwani akhara. Mahanirwani was given 40 minutes time for the ritual. shahi snan began at 0615 hrs and would continue till 1720hrs.

Along with the sadhus over 60 lakh pilgrims took the holy dip to mark the festival of Basant Panchmi.

Over 80 lakh pilgrims are expected to take bath at the ghats by tonight.

Basant Panchmi is also celebrated as goddess Saraswati's birthday. According to Bhagwat Puran, she was born from the 'kanth' of Lord Krishna. It is believed that since Basant (spring) is the festival of 'Kaam' or love, marriages are solemnised on this day.

Scholars here claim that the effect of the sun on Basant Panchmi is considered auspicious.

The weather here last night was considerably warm. The inflow of pilgrims till midnight was low but their numbers increased as the Panchmi started at 0314 hrs.

Meanwhile, river police had cordoned off the sangam area to ensure that no one entered the deep waters during the ritual.

Boatmen were issued with a route chart to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

Even as the two shahi snans passed off peacefully on the occasion of Makar Sankranti(January 15) and Mauni Amavasya(January 19), the Mela administration is leaving no stone unturned to provide adequate security for the last of Shahi Snans. Additional commandos, besides routine security mechanism of 'terrorists spotters' and anti-sabotage force, have been deployed at the Ardh Kumbh Mela here.

SSP (Ardh Kumbh) Rajiv Sabbarwal told UNI here that additional commandos from Central Reserve Police (CRP) and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been on duty at several sensitive points in 7000 acre Mela area. He, however, said their location could not be disclosed.

During the last shahi snan, commandos were deployed at the various Ghats set up for the royal bath by Akharas and the pilgrims.

Adopting two-pronged strategy for peaceful conduct of snan, the police has a security cover against a possible terrorist strike and to calm the tempers of the various akharas.

While over 50 lakh kalpwasis, including sadhus and saints were staying at the Mela, another 80 lakh were expected to reach here for Basant Panchmi, taking the figure to over 1.30 crore, Divisional Commissioner R N Tripathi said here.

The month-long festival has been peaceful sofar.

With over a crore people likely to take the holy dip today a hawk eye vigil is being maintained to avoid any untoward incident in the mela ground spread across 7,000 acres of sandy land.

To counter terror attacks, a strong posse of 6,000 paramilitary jawans are deployed in the Mela area. Besides, the just-deployed new commando units, 12 commando squads, 12 anti-mines teams, 10 anti-sabotage teams would also be stationed there.

Besides, 28 close circuit cameras have been placed at the city's sensitive and vantage spots to keep an eye over the entry of suspected elements during the Mela.

The administration has requisitioned the services of 300 Border Security Force and Rapid Action Force jawans.

The jawans have been rushed from Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Maharashtra. Besides, 11,000 police would be deployed in the Mela area.

The entire Mela area has been divided into 6 zones and 14 sectors. Thirty police stations, 35 police chowki, 5 police lines have also been set up.

Ardh Kumbh Mela would culminate on February 16. Pilgrims from all over the world are thronging the holy city.

This year, over eight crore people are expected to visit the temple town of Allahabad during the Mela, the biggest religious congregation in the world on the banks of the holy Sangam.

UNI