On January 13, the Maha Kumbh Mela commenced with a massive turnout of devotees at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. The occasion marked the auspicious ‘Shahi Snan’ on Paush Purnima, with devotees taking a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers.
Devotees Praise Arrangements and Express Gratitude
The atmosphere was filled with devotion as people arrived from across the country to partake in the sacred ritual. Vijay Kumar, a devotee, expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, stating, “The arrangements here are very good. There is an arrangement for everything – food and accommodation… the roads are also good.”
Another devotee shared his experience: “We go to Kumbh Mela wherever it is organised. I live in a small temple – I go to every pilgrim in India…”
Chunni Lal from Rajasthan also expressed his appreciation, saying, “I thank CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi; we all are feeling good by being here.” He further praised the government’s efforts, adding, “The government has made good arrangements. I am thankful to the media as well… We are going to take a holy dip.”
Security and Traffic Measures in Place
To ensure the safety of the devotees, NDRF teams and the Uttar Pradesh Police’s water police were deployed at strategic locations. The traffic police have also implemented a detailed plan to manage the flow of devotees and vehicles.
Traffic arrangements for visitors to the Mela include designated entry routes through Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Black Road) and exit via Triveni Marg. During the major bathing festivals, the Akshayavat Darshan will remain closed. Parking arrangements have been made at various locations to ensure smooth vehicle movement, including designated parking lots for vehicles coming from Jaunpur.
A Special Maha Kumbh
This year’s Maha Kumbh is especially significant due to the rare celestial alignment, which occurs once in 144 years. Over 45 crore devotees are expected to attend the event, which will run until February 26. The event is considered the largest spiritual gathering in the world.