Haridwar gears up for Kumbha Mela

Haridwar, Jan 9 (ANI): Preparations are in full swing in Haridwar for the Kumbha Mela, the largest religious gathering of Hindus in the world.

Over 10 million people are expected to arrive in the city to participate in the event, starting January 14.

Officials claimed that all preparations are done and the city is ready to welcome pilgrims from all cross the globe.

Vardhan, a special fair officer, said that the renovation of roads is done and adequate measures are taken to ensure smooth supply of drinking water and electricity.

The district authorities have also made adequate security arrangements to ensure security.

"We will deploy 15000 to 16000 police personnel to ensure security during the fair...we will provide ample security to different Akharas (camps of Sadhus or God man) who perform various rituals during the fair," said Alok Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police.

Kumar also informed that Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) sets are installed at every nook and corner of the venue.

The Kumbh Mela takes place in mid January every year when the Sun traverses across the Tropic of CancerTropic of Cancer, parallel of latitude at 23030' north of the equator; it is the northern boundary of the tropics.

Kumbh Mela will be held from January 14 (Makarsankranti) to April 28 (Vaisakh Aadhimaas Purnima) and includes 11 bathing dates in between, at Haridwar.

Held four times every twelve years and rotating among Allahabad, Nasik, Haridwar, and Ujjain, the Mela takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and Sun enters Aries.

Haridwar Mela will be managed by the Uttarakhand Government, which will establish a temporary city called "Mela Kshetra" measuring 8X48 kilometers, and including 31 police stations and 36 fire stations to monitor the crowd inflow and pressure towards bathing ghats (wharfs), and will have its own administration and traffic rules. (ANI)