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Lakhs take holy dip on Magh Purnima
With lakhs of devotees taking a dip in the Ganga on Magh Purnima, the month-long Kalpvas came to a formal end here today. About 25 lakh devotees, as per the claims of the authorities, took a holy dip in the Sangam?the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Chants of Har Har Gange rent the air as people took a dive in the river. The exercise which began early in the morning continued even after sunset.
With lakhs of devotees taking a dip in the Ganga on Magh Purnima, the month-long Kalpvas came to a formal end here today.
About 25 lakh devotees, as per the claims of the authorities, took a holy dip in the Sangam—the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Chants of Har Har Gange rent the air as people took a dive in the river. The exercise which began early in the morning continued even after sunset. Those who finished bathing went back to their destination after performing other rituals, including the deep daan.
Among them were many who had been camping here since the beginning of the mela. Known as ‘kalpvasis’, such devotees undergo all sorts of hardships in a bid to come closer to God. Some even come with the intention of dying on the bank of the Ganga as according to belief, those who die here find a place in heaven.
The day is reported to have passed off peacefully with no major incident being reported from any corner of the mela which spans over several kilometres.
Cops were deployed in large numbers, particularly following the murder of Sant Gyaneshwar who was killed with seven others the other day while proceeding to Varanasi from the Magh Mela.
The DM, the DIG and the SSP were extra vigilant in the area to ensure peaceful bathing .
However, arrangements at the Sangam appeared to be poor as the bathers had great difficulty in having easy access to the water.
The health department came under severe criticism over its failure in keeping the area clean. Stench forced the devotees to cover their noses, especially on the Kali Sadak which leads to the bandh.
Elsewhere, garbage and filth was seen strewn at several places, making one feel as if the mela had been going on without the participation of the health authorities. A pilgrim from Ghazipur, Makhan Lal complained that he had never come across such laxity by the health department as he was witnessing this year. He said he had been a regular visitor to this annual mela since 1990.
