Paush Poornima celebrated with fervour

Lucknow, Jan 22 (UNI) Lakhs of devotees took a spiritual dip in holy rivers, including Sangam, across Uttar Pradesh on the auspicious occasion of Paush Poornima today.

In Allahabad, a large number of devotees converged on the sandy beaches of Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers.

It is the confluence of these rivers, which make Prayag, also known as Triveni, one of the most important pilgrimage.

After Makar Sankranti, Paush Poornima is the second most important bathing ritual during the annual January-February Magh Mela.

Braving spine-chilling cold, people started congregating in the holy city from yesterday itself to have a dip in the icy water of Ganga.

However, some 'saints and mahatmas' boycotted royal bath, owing to its increasing pollution.

Posse of police, including anti-terrorists and bomb disposal squads, were deployed in the mela premises for security reasons.

According to reports from Gonda, lakhs of devotees took a dip in the Sangam of Ghaghra and Saryu rivers, famously called 'Chota Prayag'.

After having the dip, the devotees offered 'Puja' in various temples.

In temple town Ayodhya, thousands of people seethed for Paush Poornima and took a spiritual dip in river Saryu.

A beeline of devouts was also witnessed at the famous Ram Janmabhoomi Complex.

Reports from Varanasi, Banda, Kanpur and Gorakhpur said Paush Poornima was celebrated with fervour and gaiety.

The other important bathing rituals are Basant Panchami (February 11), Maghi Poornima (February 22) and Maha Shivratri (March 6).

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