Over 2 cr take dip in 'sangam' at Kumbh

An estimated 20-million people took the holy dip in 'sangam' (the confluence of Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Sarswati) at Kumbh in Prayagraj on the occasion of 'Basatn Panchami' on Sunday.

According to the official sources in Lucknow, lakhs of devotees were still on the 'ghats' (banks) of the 'sangam'.

The devotees has started thronging the 'sangam' since midnight on Saturday and around ten-million people had already taken the holy dip by morning.

Seers from different 'akharas' (sects) also took the holy dip on the occasion of the third and last 'shahi snan' (royal bath), sources said.

All the 40 'ghats' at the 'sangam' were filled by the devotees on Monday. A chopper also rained flower petals on them.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to facilitate bathing at the 'sangam'.

Devotees had to walk several kilometres to reach the 'ghats' as the entry of vehicles was banned in the Kumbh Mela area.

Hundreds of special trains were pressed into service to help the devotees reach Prayagraj and also enable them to reach their destinations after the bath.

Sources said that the 'akharas' would start leaving the Kumbh after Sunday's 'shahi snan'.

The Kumbh would formally end on March four after the 'Mahashivratri'.

Prime minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his sister and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi are also likely to visit Kumbh and take the holy dip at 'sangam' in the next few days.