Kumbh: Millions dip at 'Sangam' on 'Mauni Amavasya'

An estimated 35 million devotees took the holy dip at 'Sangam' (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Sarswati rivers) on the occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya' in Kumbh in Prayagraj, about 200 kilometres from here, on Monday.

Thousands of ascetics, seers and saints from different 'akharas' (sects) also undertook the second 'shahi snana' (royal bath) on the day amidst tight security arrangements.

According to officials here, around 3.25 crore people had already taken the holy dip at 'Sangam' by Monday evening. ''Devotees continue to throng the Sangam bank,'' said a senior Kumbh Mela official in Prayagraj.

Braving the chilly weather conditions, devotees from different parts of the country as well as abroad had started reaching the 'Sangam' since midnight on Sunday.

A sea of humanity was seen on the roads of Prayagraj as all roads lead to the 'Sangam' on 'Mauni Amavasya'. The administration had banned entry of vehicles in the town as a result of which the devotees had to walk for several kilometres to reach the 'Sangam', reports said.

As many as 40 'ghats' (bank) were prepared to facilitate the devotees to take bath in the 'Sangam' waters.

Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and minister for law Brijesh Pathak also took the holy dip at 'Sangam' on Monday.

Prime minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and BJP president Amit Shah are also likely to visit Kumbh and take bath at 'Sangam'.

The next important bathing day is 'Basant Panchami' on February 10.