Kumbh Mela | Graphic: Numbers swell, pilgrims flock to Prayagraj in hordes

Amid elaborate arrangements, over 73 lakh people took a dip at the Sangam till 6 am on Wednesday (February 12) on the occasion of Maghi Purnima during the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj.

The sacred bath began early Wednesday and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been monitoring the event from the war room in his official residence in Lucknow since 4 am.

With the Maghi Purnima bath, the month-long Kalpavas will also end and around 10 lakh ‘Kalpvasis’ will start leaving the Maha Kumbh. The administration has requested them to follow traffic rules and use only authorised parking spaces.

While lakhs of devotees are headed to the Sangam Nose to take a dip, the Uttar Pradesh government in a statement said that by 6 am, 73.60 lakh people, including 10 lakh Kalpvasis, had taken the ritual dip at the Triveni Sangam and other ghats.

Director General of Police Prashant Kumar, Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, and officials of the CM Secretariat are also present at the war room, it said.

Kumbh SSP Rajesh Dwivedi said, "The movement of devotees is going on smoothly and we are taking care of all (crowd) pressure points. We have made elaborate arrangements during the previous 'snan' on Basant Panchami too. Our arrangements have been further augmented this time,” he said.

Security arrangements

Talking about security arrangements in place, the SSP said, “More deployment has been done at all the pressure points. Along with that, we are briefing people to ensure a smooth movement."

Meanwhile, Adityanath greeted everyone on the holy bathing festival.

Also Read: Bihar: Unable to board train, Maha Kumbh-bound pilgrims smash coach windows

"Heartiest greetings to all the revered saints, religious leaders, Kalpvasis, and devotees who have come for the holy bath at the sacred Triveni in Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj. May everyone's life be filled with happiness, prosperity, and good fortune by the grace of Lord Shri Hari. May Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna, and Maa Saraswati fulfill everyone's wishes," he said in the post.

According to officials, elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure that the devotees take the sacred bath without any hassle.

No-vehicle zone

The fair area has been declared a 'no vehicle zone' from 4 am on Tuesday, while the entire city will become a no-vehicle zone from 5 pm onwards, with an exemption for emergency and essential services, they said.

To avoid traffic chaos, designated parking lots have been marked for public and private vehicles.

Prayagraj ADG Bhanu Bhaskar said special police forces have been deployed at all places where crowd management becomes challenging.

Also Read: Maha Kumbh traffic crisis: 250-km jam brings Prayagraj roads to a halt

The special traffic plan will remain in force till the completion of the ritual to ensure safe evacuation of devotees from the fair area in case of any emergency.

Bhaskar said real time data is being collected from toll plazas and officials of neighbouring districts so that the number of vehicles coming and the routes can be monitored and regulated.

Devotees’ experience

Srinivas, who has come from Andhra Pradesh to take a dip, said, "It feels good. The UP government has made good arrangements. Many thanks to Yogi Adityanath and PM Narendra Modi."

Another devotee, Gayatri, said, "I am very happy to be here at the Kumbh Mela on this auspicious occasion. The UP government has created a good atmosphere here. Actually, being a Hindu, this is the first time I have really felt like an Indian. People have shown their religiousness and unity has been promoted."

The state transport department has arranged 1,200 additional shuttle buses, which will be available for the devotees every 10 minutes, the officials said.

Also Read: From selling neem twigs to magnet-fishing coins, Kumbh means business

The Uttar Pradesh government said on Tuesday that only 14 days are left for the Maha Kumbh to end. More than 45 crore people have taken a dip in the Sangam so far since the grand religious event started on January 13.

The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26 with the final “Amrit Snan” on the occasion of Mahashivratri.

A stampede during the Manui Amaswya “Amrit Snan” on January 29 had left, according to the Uttar Pradesh government, 30 dead and 60 injured.

(With agency inputs)