Kumbh begins; 11 million to take dip in Sangam today
14 Jan 2013 5:56 AM IST
The administration gets ready for the first shahi snan on Monday when over 11 million people and Hindu saints are expected to take a dip in the at the confluence of three rivers – holy Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati – to cleanse their sins in Allahabad in the world’s biggest gatherings of human beings.
The Kumbh Mela that falls after 12 years is expected to see more than 10 crore people taking bath to cleanse their sins in almost 55 day long festival beginning from 14 January. It is believed that holy dip in this occasion would free a person from the cycle of death and birth.
‘Over 10 crore pilgrims from India and abroad are expected during this festival that will start on 14 January and would continue for next 55 days till 10 March,’ Devesh Chaturvedi a senior administrative official said on Sunday. Over 11 million people are expected to take a dip at Sangam – the point where three rivers meet on the first day of the festival. There are six auspicious days, depending on alignment of stars, where Hindu devout would take a dip wash away their sins in the frigid water of the river.
‘It would be the first shahi snan (Royal bathing day) in which sadhus or holy men will take bath in the river in a big procession. It will be a big show despite temperature of the area is around 5 degree Celsius,’ Chaturvedi said.
The shahi snan would start at 5 am and would continue till evening’ the official said.
The snan, one of the most important events of Kumbh Mela, would witness naked Naga Sadhus and holy men of different sects marching in a big procession towards the river and then taking a dip at auspicious time amidst chanting of humns and shlokas. Some of these sadhus would come riding horses and chariots.
The vast Kumbh Mela ground spread over in 1,936 hectares has been turned into a tent city. Around 1 million small tarpaulin tents – green, blue and saffron in color – have come up in the Kumbh Mela ground. Over 30,000 makeshift toilets have been have been set up and over 15,000 sweepers deployed to keep the area clean.
In an attempt to provide fool-proof security over 50,000 security personnel will man this area. ‘It will be an extensive security exercise. Anti-sabotage teams and Special commandos from police and para-military forces have been deployed. Over 80 CCV cameras to keep a track of traffic and security,’ inspector general of police Alok Sharma said.
According to Hindu mythology Gods and demons fought a celestial war, spilling nectar at earth.
Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. If they bathe at Ganges on the most auspicious day of the most blessed festival, believers say they can get rid of their sins.
Held four times every 12 years and rotating among Allahabad, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain, this most auspicious Hindu festival takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and Sun enters Aries.
Sadhus or holy saints have started swarming the area. Sadhus of different sects called Akharas have pitched their tents according to their hierarchy. First to enter is Juna akhara, said to be the biggest sect. Heads of this Akharas have entered the mela ground in a big procession led by bands.
SADHUS IN ROW ON CAMP LAND
With a day before beginning of Kumbh Mela with first shahi snan on Monday controversies have cropped up on several issues, including dispute among the saints and sadhus along with irregularities over distribution of land to the religious organisations.
Controversial remarks by Asaram Bapu over the rape cases and entry of another controversial saint Radhe Maa in the Kumbh Nagar along with Baba Ramdev has already generated much heat among sadhus.
Security cover has been tightened at camp of Asaram Bapu in Sector-6 of Kumbh Mela where the saint will deliver his ‘discourse from 14 January. The security has been tightened after some miscreants burnt the gate of Asharam Bapu camp on Thursday. On Saturday, too, some youth of the Rashtriya Yuva Krantikari Chatra Sangathan had burnt the posters of Asaram Bapu near Civil Line Hanuman Mandir in Allahabd. Similar protests are expected when the seer reaches the Kumbh Mela.
The Kumbh Mela that falls after 12 years is expected to see more than 10 crore people taking bath to cleanse their sins in almost 55 day long festival beginning from 14 January. It is believed that holy dip in this occasion would free a person from the cycle of death and birth.
‘Over 10 crore pilgrims from India and abroad are expected during this festival that will start on 14 January and would continue for next 55 days till 10 March,’ Devesh Chaturvedi a senior administrative official said on Sunday. Over 11 million people are expected to take a dip at Sangam – the point where three rivers meet on the first day of the festival. There are six auspicious days, depending on alignment of stars, where Hindu devout would take a dip wash away their sins in the frigid water of the river.
‘It would be the first shahi snan (Royal bathing day) in which sadhus or holy men will take bath in the river in a big procession. It will be a big show despite temperature of the area is around 5 degree Celsius,’ Chaturvedi said.
The shahi snan would start at 5 am and would continue till evening’ the official said.
The snan, one of the most important events of Kumbh Mela, would witness naked Naga Sadhus and holy men of different sects marching in a big procession towards the river and then taking a dip at auspicious time amidst chanting of humns and shlokas. Some of these sadhus would come riding horses and chariots.
The vast Kumbh Mela ground spread over in 1,936 hectares has been turned into a tent city. Around 1 million small tarpaulin tents – green, blue and saffron in color – have come up in the Kumbh Mela ground. Over 30,000 makeshift toilets have been have been set up and over 15,000 sweepers deployed to keep the area clean.
In an attempt to provide fool-proof security over 50,000 security personnel will man this area. ‘It will be an extensive security exercise. Anti-sabotage teams and Special commandos from police and para-military forces have been deployed. Over 80 CCV cameras to keep a track of traffic and security,’ inspector general of police Alok Sharma said.
According to Hindu mythology Gods and demons fought a celestial war, spilling nectar at earth.
Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. If they bathe at Ganges on the most auspicious day of the most blessed festival, believers say they can get rid of their sins.
Held four times every 12 years and rotating among Allahabad, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain, this most auspicious Hindu festival takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and Sun enters Aries.
Sadhus or holy saints have started swarming the area. Sadhus of different sects called Akharas have pitched their tents according to their hierarchy. First to enter is Juna akhara, said to be the biggest sect. Heads of this Akharas have entered the mela ground in a big procession led by bands.
SADHUS IN ROW ON CAMP LAND
With a day before beginning of Kumbh Mela with first shahi snan on Monday controversies have cropped up on several issues, including dispute among the saints and sadhus along with irregularities over distribution of land to the religious organisations.
Controversial remarks by Asaram Bapu over the rape cases and entry of another controversial saint Radhe Maa in the Kumbh Nagar along with Baba Ramdev has already generated much heat among sadhus.
Security cover has been tightened at camp of Asaram Bapu in Sector-6 of Kumbh Mela where the saint will deliver his ‘discourse from 14 January. The security has been tightened after some miscreants burnt the gate of Asharam Bapu camp on Thursday. On Saturday, too, some youth of the Rashtriya Yuva Krantikari Chatra Sangathan had burnt the posters of Asaram Bapu near Civil Line Hanuman Mandir in Allahabd. Similar protests are expected when the seer reaches the Kumbh Mela.
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