Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 4 : Despite the ongoing cold wave gripping the country, devotees at Prayagraj’s Sangam Ghat continue their ritual of taking a sacred dip in the Ganga. With temperatures dropping to 12 degrees Celsius, pilgrims bundled up in warm clothing and huddled near bonfires to shield themselves from the cold.
Rajeev Kumar Singh, a visitor from Pratapgarh, explained that no matter how cold it gets, the ritual of bathing in the Sangam Ghat remains sacred. “It’s become very cold here, but it is a ritual for devotees to take a dip in the Sangam Ghat, regardless of the weather,” he told ANI.
Sheela Soni, another devotee, echoed the sentiment, saying that the winter did not deter them from worshiping. “The cold is increasing, but it doesn’t bother us because we’ve come here to worship God,” she said.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 12°C in Prayagraj. In preparation for the Mahakumbh Mela, IMD has launched a special webpage to provide weather updates every 15 minutes and forecasts twice a day.
The Mahakumbh Mela, one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, is being held in Prayagraj after 12 years. The event, deeply rooted in Sanatan Dharma, celebrates an auspicious period for spiritual cleansing and devotion, attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world. The holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers is believed to cleanse sins and grant moksha (liberation). Over 45 crore visitors are expected to attend the historic event.