- By Shivam Shandilya
- Tue, 14 Jan 2025 06:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mahakumbh 2025 Update: In the sacred city of Prayagraj, the Mahakumbh (Mahakumbh 2025) has drawn a massive surge of devotees from across the country and the world. After the Paush Purnima Snan, the grand Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh commenced on Tuesday. The Mela administration is ensuring full adherence to the established traditions and rituals. The saints and sages of the Mahaneervani Akhara took a dip on Tuesday. According to jagran.com, by noon, over 16 million people had already bathed in the confluence. According to several media reports, over two crore devotees took a holy dip on Makar Sankranti.
During this event, the Naga Sadhus also displayed their martial arts skills, which drew a massive crowd of onlookers fascinated by their demonstrations.
Due to the continuously increasing number of devotees, Prayagraj Junction in Uttar Pradesh has reached to full capacity. Devotees have formed long queues from Leader Road to Hewett Road, and the Civil Lines bus stand is also overcrowded. The police have diverted the devotees towards Prayagraj Junction, and despite the diversions, the crowd has reportedly become unmanageable, forcing the closure of the gates at Prayagraj Junction. Devotees were protesting to open the gates, reports jagran.com.
On Makar Sankranti (Makar Sankranti), the Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahaneervani took the first Amrit Snan (holy dip), followed by the Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhada. In second place, the Shri Taponidhi Panchayati Shri Niranjani Akhada and the Shri Panchayati Akhada Anand performed their Amrit Snan. Three Sannyasi Akhadas will perform the Amrit Snan, including the Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhada, Shri Panchdashnam Aavahan Akhada, and Shri Panchagni Akhada.
The Naga Sadhus of the Panchayati Nirvani Akhada performed their Amrit Snan in royal fashion, armed with spears, tridents, and swords. The saints and sages rode on horses and chariots during the procession, spreading an atmosphere of devotion and spiritual energy throughout the region. The bhajan groups and chanting of devotees further amplified the divine ambiance.
Devotees Arrive Early To Take Dip
At the Nagavasuki Temple and Sangam area, a continuous stream of devotees started arriving early in the morning. Elderly people, women, and youth were seen carrying bundles on their heads, making their way toward the Sangam with deep devotion. According to jagran.com, the people had begun taking a dip in the holy waters of the Ganga from midnight itself.
Tight Security Arrangements:
To ensure the safety of the devotees, the administration has put in place strong security measures. Every route has been barricaded, and vehicles are being thoroughly checked. Police and security forces have been deployed at every corner, keeping the event peaceful and organized. DIG Kumbh Mela Vaibhav Krishna, SSP Rajesh Dwivedi, along with the police team, conducted a horseback march across the Mela area and cleared the path for the Akhada sadhus heading for their Amrit Snan.
Heavy Crowd Since Monday Evening:
The flood of devotees began on Monday evening, continuing well into the night. Most of the devotees who had taken the Paush Purnima dip on Monday stayed back for the Amrit Snan. The night before Makar Sankranti, the streets of Prayagraj city and the Kumbh Mela area had already become a path of devotion. A massive surge of saints, devotees, and tourists from across the country and the world converged towards the ghats. By midnight, heavy crowds had already gathered across the 44 bathing ghats spread over 12 kilometers.
There was barely any space left at the sacred Triveni Sangam. Amidst loud chants of "Jai Shri Ram," "Jai Ganga Maiya," and "Har Har Mahadev," devotees, some carrying flags, others with ritualistic items like water pots and prayer beads, rushed towards the Sangam.
An Estimated 2.5 Crore Devotees Expected:
The Mela administration estimates that over 2.5 crore devotees will take a holy dip during this royal bathing occasion. As the devotees arrived at the Sangam ghats, roads were blocked 6-7 kilometers away due to crowd control measures, causing the streets to turn into walking paths. People, some with bundles on their heads, others holding children or bags, walked for miles towards the ghats, where they awaited their turn for a sacred dip.
From Fafamau to Aral, along the two banks of the Sangam, around 44 bathing ghats are prepared with straw mats, and devotees from all corners of India gathered to take part in this divine ritual.
