E-Paper
Of auspicious & inauspicious
The transition of stars is such that after a gap of 57 years Makar Sankranti this time is falling between Paush Purnima and Magh. In between these 57 years it always fell in the month of Magh. Because of this peculiar transition a dip on this Makar Sankranti will be more auspicious and beneficial for the devouts, say astrologers. Some of them compare the religious significance of this Makar Sankranti with the one falling during the Ardh Kumbh.
The transition of stars is such that after a gap of 57 years Makar Sankranti this time is falling between Paush Purnima and Magh. In between these 57 years it always fell in the month of Magh. Because of this peculiar transition a dip on this Makar Sankranti will be more auspicious and beneficial for the devouts, say astrologers. Some of them compare the religious significance of this Makar Sankranti with the one falling during the Ardh Kumbh.
Another good news for the believers is the westerly flow of the river these days in comparison to the east-ward flow of river Ganga. With the westerly flow of the river the Sangam water becomes more holier, feel some pundits.
The inauspicious part: The auspicious Makar Sankranti has a flip side also.
Astrolgers and pundits do not rule out the possibility of accidents and unsavoury incidents. This is because of the bad effect of 'Shani'. After a gap of 200 years Makar Sankranti is falling on Saturday and as such tragedies and other such incidents cannot be ruled out, say the pundits.
SP City warns cops
The SP city lashed out at three traffic sub-inspectors for their alleged role in extorting money from vehicles at Jhusi and some other points. He said he knew how some officials have made great efforts in getting themselves posted in the Mela for the sake of making money. No official will be spared in case he was found fleecing pilgrims, he warned. He urged them to stop thinking about money and serve the people in the pious month and earn goodwill instead.
Collecting illegal tax
For the first time anti-social elements collecting illegal pilgrimage tax from pilgrims were seen active in the Mela area. They were seen forcing the people to pay through their nose even after the fact was brought to the notice of the DM Amrit Abhijat and SP City RPS Yadav at the press conference. Though both the officials issued orders for immediate stoppage of this malpractice by unauthorised persons but even more than three hours later people were seen being fleeced by the rowdies in the Mela area. Although such fleecing goes on unchecked round the year but the same stops during the annual Magh Mela.
However, owing to official apathy the scene appears different this year.
