North News

Prayagraj, January 14

Millions of devotees took holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on Makar Sankranti for the ‘Amrit Snan’ during the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious congregation. The event, which commenced on January 13, coinciding with Paush Purnima, transformed Prayagraj into a hub of devotion and spirituality. The 45-day festival celebrates the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers, offering devotees an opportunity for spiritual cleansing and salvation. This year’s Makar Sankranti held special significance, as the absence of the inauspicious ‘Bhadra’ period made the day auspicious for rituals. According to reports, around 1.38 crore devotees took holy dip till 10 am.

Festivities included kite flying and traditional foods like sesame-jaggery laddus and khichdi, adding vibrancy to the occasion. Pilgrims from Spain, South Korea, and Russia joined Indian sadhus and sanyasis for the holy dip. Christina, a visitor from Spain, described the experience as “once in a lifetime.” The ancient tradition of Kalpvas began on January 13 and will continue until February 12, with over 1.6 lakh tents set up to support devotees observing a month of spiritual discipline. The tents, equipped with essential facilities, aim to enhance the experience of Kalpvasis.

Vendors near the Sangam reported record sales of puja essentials and Ganga Jal storage containers, reflecting the heightened enthusiasm among pilgrims. Pradeep Upadhyay, a tilak artist, noted that the turnout and spiritual energy surpassed that of the 2019 Kumbh Mela.

The Maha Kumbh has once again proven its role as a global unifier, merging faith, culture, and humanity on an unprecedented scale