Prayagraj: Scores of devotees took holy dip in Ganga on the occasion of ‘Achala Saptami’ and offered prayers to the Sun God.
The footfall started rising since early Friday and the flow continued as the day progressed. Mela police maintained a strict vigil on the ghat and police mobile teams were engaged to regulate the flow of crowd.
Noted astrologer Amitabh Gour said Achala Saptami is celebrated on the seventh day of Magh’s ‘shukla paksha’. It is also known as ‘Rath Saptami’ and ‘Arogya Saptami’. He said devotees offer prayer to the Sun God for good health, wealth and prosperity.
Prayagraj: The monthlong period from Basant Panchami to Magh Purnima is considered to be the most important period for the seers at Magh Mela as they perform a challenging sadhana (meditation) called ‘Dhuni Tap’.
Performed on the sandy banks of Ganga, the sadhak (seers who undertake this practice) fast for the entire day, meditate and pray in a fixed posture of yogasan. The sadhana goes on under the scorching sun and the meditating seers are surrounded by burning cow dung cakes emanating fire and thick smoke.
Also known as ‘Panch Agnitap’, this harsh form of self-denial and austerity is practiced by many saints for years together. “This is among the oldest forms of penance which finds mention in ancient Hindu scriptures like the Padma Purana and Shiv Purana, wherein a Naga sadhu is surrounded with burning fire, and he sits for hours in sadhana,” shared Mahatyagi Manoharcharan Dasji.
A major chunk of the devotees from the city and adjoining districts started reaching Sangam since dawn and the number went up gradually by afternoon
PRAYAGRAJ: Amidst foolproof security arrangements, around 15 lakhs devotees, sadhus and kalpwasis took holy dip at the Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami on Tuesday. A major chunk of the devotees from the city and adjoining districts started reaching Sangam since dawn and the number went up gradually by afternoon.
Mela Adhikari, Vivek Chaturvedi said, “Around 15 lakh devotees and pilgrims took holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami. This is the fourth main snan at the ongoing Magh Mela and it passed off peacefully with no untoward incident being reported.”
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Prayagraj: Elaborate security arrangements have been made for pilgrims, devotees and kalpwasis ahead of Basant Panchmi snan on Tuesday and the Magh Mela campus has been into a fortress with ATS and STF commandos, and personnel of para military forces also being deployed.
The Basant Panchmi snan is considered a local snan and hence local residents will also be going besides pilgrims, sadhus, and kalpwasis and hence security has been beefed up in and around mela campus.
ATS and STF commandos and personnel of para military forces have also been deployed to keep a strict vigil and tackle any incident.