Maha Kumbh: Devotees take holy dip on 'Mauni Amavasya'

Lakhs of devotees on Sunday took a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya' in the ongoing Maha Kumbh congregation at the Sangam. The day also marks the second ‘Shahi Snan’ of sadhus belonging to various ‘Akharas’.

According to a rough estimate by officials, the number of people to have taken a dip by the crack of dawn appears to be “not less than 20 lakhs” and the final turnout may exceed the projected estimate of three crore.

Devotees started arriving at the bathing ‘ghats’ along the banks of the Ganga since last night itself as the special celestial configuration which makes ‘Mauni Amavasya’ auspicious has been in place since yesterday afternoon.

Tight security arrangements are in place with more than 15,000 security personnel drawn from central paramilitary forces like ITBP, CRPF, BSF and RAF besides the Uttar Pradesh Police and its Provincial Armed Constabulary and Anti Terrorist Squad keeping a close vigil.

The star attraction of the day remains ‘Shahi Snan’ of the ‘Akharas’ — orders of martial ascetics established by Adi Sankara — which proceeded, in turns, towards the holy river’s confluence with Yamuna and mythical Saraswati in majestic processions.

There are altogether 13 ‘Akharas’ belonging to various sects and each of them have been allotted specific time, ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, depending upon the size of their procession.