Around 14.70 lakh people took a dip in the Ganga and at the holy Sangam this morning on the occasion of Basant Panchami, officials said. Basant Panchami 2024: 14.70 Lakh Devotees Throng Bathing Festival of Magh Mela, Take Holy Dip in Ganga, Sangam (Watch Videos).
Over 2 crore devotees took a holy dip in Sangam on Mauni Amavasya amid flower showers and tight security bandobast. The Yogi Adityanath-led state government showered petals from a helicopter, increasing the enthusiasm among visitors. The day passed off peacefully with no untoward incident being reported. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place and over 5,500 police personnel were deployed.
Despite bone-chilling weather conditions, Varanasi witnessed a remarkable display of devotion on the occasion of Makar Sankranti as thousands of devotees thronged the ghats along the sacred Ganga to partake in a holy dip. Find out more about the auspicious bathing festival and the traffic restrictions in place.