India
For the second Shahi Snan or auspicious dip on Mauni Amavasya, lakhs of devotees have gathered at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj
Prayagraj: Around three crore devotees are expected at Kumbh Mela on Mauni Amavasya on Monday which is traditionally, the most significant of all the scared bathing days at the Kumbh.
For the second Shahi Snan or auspicious dip on Mauni Amavasya, lakhs of devotees have gathered at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
According to reports, the crowd is increasing by the hour and there is continuous movement of devotees as the loudspeaker guides them from the railway station to the makeshift township of Kumbh Nagar towards the bathing ghats.
Prayagraj: Visuals from on the day of second 'shahi snan' pic.twitter.com/qbGBKEY8Ui
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP)According to the Hindu calendar, Mauni Amavasya is a new moon day in the of Magha month and since it falls on a Monday, it assumes greater significance this year. It is believed that sage Rishabh Dev bathed in the holy waters after breaking his long vow of silence on this day.
Security has been tightened at the Kumbh for the auspicious occasion and the additional superintendent of police level officer will be monitoring the entire area which has been divided into 10 zones and 25 sectors.
Varanasi: Devotees take holy dip in river Ganga on the occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya' pic.twitter.com/KIJNYub8Ih
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP)To deal with any emergency, over 40 police stations and same number of fire stations have been set up in the Kumbh Nagari.
According to a Uttar Pradesh home department official, 43 fire stations, 15 sub-fire stations, 40 fire watchtowers and 96 control watchtowers have been set up for the day and the entire area is under surveillance of 440 CCTV cameras.
: Elaborate security arrangements put in place for safe bathing on occasion of .: M S Yadav pic.twitter.com/YAHuVboDpK
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts)The official also mentioned that an Integrated Command Control Centre and 12 wireless grids have been established for close coordination and prompt communication.
Restriction has been imposed on the entry of vehicles at the 32,000-acre Kumbh Nagari. Over 500 shuttle buses are running for the pilgrims to make their way from various parts of Prayagraj to the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati - the Sangam, for the sacred dip.
The first of the three Shahi Snans took place on Makar Sankranti which was on January 15. While the second is on Mauni Amavasya today, Basant Panchami (February 10) is the last one. The Kumbh Mela ends on March 4.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.