3rd Shahi Snan: Two crore take holy dip on Basant Panchami without hitch at Maha Kumbh

In this photo released by @myogioffice via X, devotees gather to take a holy dip at the Sangam on the occasion of 'Basant Panchami Amrit Snan' during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj

The third ’Amrit Snan’ at the Maha Kumbh proceeded smoothly and in a serene display of faith and devotion an estimated two crore devotees had taken the holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, according to figures shared by the Uttar Pradesh government. The third and last Shahi Snan is on the occasion of Basant Panchmi. As today marks the third Shahi Snan, several Akharas and Naga Sadhus went to Triveni with their procession to take the holy dip.

State government mounted up safety measures with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directing officials to adopt a ’zero-error’ approach after the stampede that broke out at the Sangam on ’Mauni Amavasya’ (January 29).

Speaking to ANI, UP Minister AK Sharma said that the state government is continously monitoring the situation. He has been present in the area to inspect the arrangements since Mouni Amavasya. "On the occasion of Basant Panchmi... close to 4 crore people have taken a dip here since yesterday... We are continuously monitoring the situation. I have been present to inspect the arrangements since the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Once again I invite everybody to come here since only a few days of the Maha Kumbh are left... This is the Maha Kumbh of modern India, digital India... Yesterday, I inspected the monitoring of traffic management and cleanliness protocols..." Sharma said.

Chief Minister Adityanath monitored the situation from his official residence in Lucknow since 3.30 am, they said. DIG (Maha Kumbh) Vaibhav Krishna told PTI Videos that in light of the January 29 stampede, additional force was deployed at all pressure points for crowd management. ”Everything is running smoothly today,” he said during a pre-dawn patrolling in the Mela area. Later in the day, the DIG and some other senior officers went around the Mela area on horseback to assess crowd management. ”Our crowd management has been good today, which is visible. No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere yet. Additional deployment has been made at the pressure points. The Amrit Snan is progressing smoothly as per order,” Krishna said. By 4 pm, over 1.98 crore devotees had taken a dip in the Sangam, the government said, adding that it expected a footfall of around five crore pilgrims through Monday.

As per tradition, akharas belonging to three sects — Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen — took the holy dip in a pre-determined sequence. According to the schedule released by Maha Kumbh authorities, the Amrit Snan (formerly ’Shahi Snan’) commenced at 4 am with akharas of the Sanyasi sect. Leading the sacred procession were Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara, Taponidhi Panchayati Niranjani Akhara, Panchayati Akhara Anand, Panchdashnam Juna Akhara, Panchdashnam Avahan Akhara, and Panchagni Akhara. Each akhara was allotted a 40-minute window, with the first procession completing the ritual and returning to their camps by 8.30 am.

In a message posted on X, Adityanath congratulated all those taking part in the Amrit Snan, saying, ”Greetings to all saints, akharas, Kalpvasis, and devotees who have taken the holy dip.” Devotees expressed their happiness as they took a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh.

The Maha Kumbh 2025, which commenced on January 13, will continue until February 26. The event has already attracted millions of devotees from across the country and around the world and is expected to set new records for attendance and participation.