Maha Kumbh's Third 'Amrit Snan' Begins On Basant Panchami
Sadhus alongside ash-smeared Nagas from multiple akharas started their ritual journey toward the Triveni Sangam at dawn.
Maha Kumbh's Third 'Amrit Snan' Begins On Basant Panchami
During Basant Panchami the Maha Kumbh hosted its third grand ‘Amrit Snan' which attracted hundreds of thousands of global devotees who sought spiritual liberation through the sacred dip.
The sadhus together with ash-smeared Nagas from different akharas started their sacred procession toward the Triveni Sangam at dawn.
At 4 am, Shishir noted that 16.58 lakh devotees had taken the holy dip while the cumulative total since January 13 reached 34.97 crore, including 10 lakh kalpvasis and 6.58 lakh pilgrims.
The sacred bathing ritual now stands as a meaningful event following the tragic stampede that occurred during last year's ‘Amrit Snan' on ‘Mauni Amavasya' which caused 30 fatalities and injured 60 people.
More than 33 crore devotees have participated in the holy dip at Maha Kumbh thus far while the Uttar Pradesh government anticipates five crore pilgrims on Monday by itself.
The Uttar Pradesh government has increased security and crowd control measures to avoid further incidents since the ‘Mauni Amavasya' tragedy. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally inspected preparations on Saturday which led to the deployment of additional personnel and medical resources to achieve a flawless Amrit Snan on Monday.
Kumbh Mela authorities announced that Akharas from the Sanyasi Sect began the 'Amrit Snan' at 4 am. Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani led the sacred procession followed by Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara and Sri Taponidhi Panchayati Sri Niranjani Akhara.
The holy water bathing window for each akhara lasts 40 minutes with the first group finishing their ritual and returning to their camp by 8.30 am.
The All India Shri Panch Nirvani Ani Akhara together with All India Shri Panch Digamber Ani Akhara and All India Shri Panch Nirmohi Ani Akhara complete their procession by 12.35 pm which allows the final group to access the holy waters.
As per the schedule, the final group to perform 'Amrit Snan' will be from the Udaseen sect which includes Shri Panchayati Naya Udaseen Akhara, Shri Panchayati Akhara Bada Udaseen Nirvana, and Shri Panchayati Nirmal Akhara. The final ascetics will finish their ritual at 3.55 pm after beginning their journey toward the river at 11 am.
