Kumbh Mela 2019: In historic first, Kinnar Akhara takes maiden 'Shahi Snan' in holy Ganges

Background

Allahabad: Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious congregation began on Tuesday at the historical and holy city of Allahabad which was recently rechristened as 'Prayagraj' . Chalo Kumbh Chale' is the slogan and also the mantra for peace maybe for thousands of visitors who arrived here Monday for the Kumbh mela, the largest congregation in the world, and walked for miles as they made their way to the Sangam for a ritual dip in the waters. The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati has called out to the religious for centuries, and it was so on Monday as well. While Tuesday is when the fair officially begins on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, one of the sacred bathing days of the 50-day Kumbh, pilgrims made a beeline for the holy waters on Monday as well.

Due to the huge number of people expected to take part in the mela, the administration has restricted the entry of all types of vehicles -- other than those required for essential services - in the vicinity of Kumbh Nagari, the sprawling 32,000 hectare township that has come up on the banks of the river.



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10:46 AM (IST)  •  15 Jan 2019

Attracting eye-balls of one and all, especially the foreigners, was the march of Naga sadhus- a martial order of ascetics who move about naked with ash smeared on their whole body.

10:45 AM (IST)  •  15 Jan 2019

10:06 AM (IST)  •  15 Jan 2019

Yogi government deploys helicopter to shower flower petals upon devotees at Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

10:05 AM (IST)  •  15 Jan 2019

09:57 AM (IST)  •  15 Jan 2019

As per latest updates, 45 lakh devotees have taken holy dip in the Triveni Sangam at the Kumbh Mela.