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Kumbh Mela 2019: More than 1 crore devotees take holy dip in Sangam on Mahashivratri

SUMMARY

Even before midnight, devotees from different walks of life and parts of the country began to pour into Sangam city to take holy dip on Mahashivratri, the great night of Lord Shiva and the last bathing day in the one-and a-half-month-long Kumbh Mela. Till Monday evening, more than 1 crore devotees had taken a holy dip in the Sangam area, officials said. The bathing ghats brimmed with colour in the morning. Late-night showers in parts of the holy city failed to dampen the spirit of the pilgrims. As the sun came out, devotees enthusiastically greeted the sun, while some offered obeisance to the Sun God with traditional 'Yoga asanas'. According to Hindu mythology, Mahashivratri symbolises the last holy bath of Kalpvasis, who spend the month of Magh -- the period of austerity -- in minimal means. Kumbh is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. It is held once in every 12 years. This time it began on January 15 on Makar Sankranti. There are six bathing dates. Of these, shahi snaans are held on Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amawasya and Basant Panchami. Parv snaans are held on Paush Poornima and Maghi Poornima.

By AP Mar 5, 2019 2:04:26 PM IST (Published)


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Boats tethered at the Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati as devotees take holy dips on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri during the last day of Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

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Boats tethered at the Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati as devotees take holy dips on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri during the last day of Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

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