Over 2.57 crore take holy dip at Sangam on Basant Panchami

Prayagraj: Undeterred by the Mauni Amavasya stampede that claimed the lives of 30 devotees and left 60 others injured, over 2.57 crore devotees, including seers, Kalpvasis, and pilgrims, took a holy dip at Sangam in Prayagraj by 6 pm on the occasion of the third and last Amrit Snan of Basant Panchami. In the past two days of Basant Panchami (tithi beginning from Sunday morning and ending Monday evening), over 3.86 crore devotees took the holy dip.The total number of bathers since the beginning of Maha Kumbh surpassed the 37 crore mark despite the fact that 23 days are left in the Maha Kumbh, the total count is expected to exceed 500 million.The Naga Sadhus were the first to take the sacred bath, followed by other seers and devotees. Millions of faithful lined up beside the special corridors to have a glimpse of the sadhus as they marched for the last Amrit Snan at the ongoing Maha Kumbh.The acharyas and mahamandaleshwars of the respective akharas arrived on beautifully decorated chariots mounted on tractor trolleys. Fellow seers and members of the akharas walked behind them. The procession of Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani was the first to reach the Sangam for the Amrit Snan. Likewise, the other remaining akharas performed the Amrit Snan one after the other, arriving by one set of pontoon bridges and leaving by another. The second Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya remained a low-key affair due to the stampede.However, this time, all the 13 akharas made special preparations.While the akharas and devotees were taking a holy dip in Sangam, flower petals were showered on the devotees and seers from a chopper. The senior seers, riding the makeshift chariots, were also seen throwing flowers and garlands as prasad towards devotees.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended heartfelt greetings to seers, akharas, Kalpvasis, and devotees taking the 'Amrit Snan' at Triveni Sangam and conveyed best wishes to devotees. Describing Maha Kumbh as a significant platform to showcase India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions, CM Yogi expressed hope that this grand event would foster the spirit of peace, prosperity, and harmony in society.An impenetrable security setup was implemented to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the last Amrit Snan. Senior officials, including the DIG and SSP, personally monitored the arrangements on the ground, ensuring seamless crowd management and a peaceful spiritual experience. SSP (Mela) Rajesh Dwivedi told TOI that with no untoward incident report, the third amrit snan of Basant Panchmi passed off peacefully.Naga Sadhus stole the limelight on Monday. Leading most of the akharas during the sacred bathing ritual, these ascetics showcased their extraordinary weapon-handling skills, wielding spears, swords, and tridents with precision. The rhythmic beats of the damru and the display of traditional combat techniques added to the grandeur of the event.A large number of foreign devotees were spotted fully immersed in the vibrant colours of Indian culture and tradition as they took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam. Describing the Maha Kumbh experience as unique and unforgettable, a devotee from Italy said, "I took a holy dip just a few minutes ago, and it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."Andro, a visitor from Croatia, who took a dip in the Sangam with his wife, described the experience as divine. "This is truly a wonderful experience. The atmosphere of Maha Kumbh is beyond words. The arrangements and facilities here are outstanding," he said.Avigel from Austria was equally mesmerised. "This is unbelievable and extraordinary. A once-in-a-lifetime experience! Through this, I have started to understand the soul of India. I have never witnessed anything like this before," she remarked.The smooth flow of traffic allowed devotees to move freely, and after their snan, many were seen engaging in acts of charity and religious offerings. Interestingly, the digital aspect of Maha Kumbh also drew immense enthusiasm, with devotees eager to capture and preserve the once-in-a-lifetime experience.Meanwhile, the sleuths of NDRF also saved a 17-year-old Varanasi-based youth from drowning near Sangam Nose when he slipped into a deep water zone. Alert NDRF jawans jumped into the Ganga and managed to rescue him.