Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam along with his family members during the Maha Kumbh Mela, the grand event taking place after 144 years due to a rare astronomical alignment of planets and stars, in Prayagraj on Monday. Shah interacted with Junapithadheeshwar Mahamandaleshwar Acharya Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj and some other top seers onboard a cottage on a floating jetty.
Shah was guarded by a heavy security cover in the Mela area and in Prayagraj. While the Mela area was made strictly a no-vehicle zone, Prayagraj city had several route diversions in place, impacting locals and visiting pilgrims.
Before taking the holy dip, Shah in a post said, "'Mahakumbh' is a unique symbol of the continuous flow of Sanatan culture. The Kumbh showcases the life philosophy of Sanatan Dharma, which is rooted in harmony." "I am eager to take a dip at Sangam and receive the blessings from saints at this great festival of unity and integrity in the holy city of Prayagraj," he added.
List Of VIPs Who Took Holy Dip At Sangam
More than 13.21 crore people have taken the dip since the mela, touted as the world's biggest human gathering, began on January 13, officials said.
Many renowned names like industrialist Gautam Adani, Apple founder Steve Jobs' wife Laurene Powell Jobs, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, celebrities like Anupam Kher, Remo D'souza and Mamta Kulkarni, and boxer Mary Kom have visited Prayagraj for the ongoing mela.
A sea of devotees has started converging in Prayagraj to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on January 29. The Maha Kumbh Mela will conclude on February 26.
On Friday and Saturday, more than 1.25 crore devotees bathed in the Sangam, and the crowd is expected to swell significantly with an estimated 10 crore devotees anticipated to take the dip on Mauni Amavasya, PTI reported quoting officials.