NEW DELHI: The world’s largest festival of faith commenced in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Monday as a sea of devotees took the first holy dip at Sangam Ghat along the banks of the Ganga in their quest for salvation.
Even before the day dawned, pilgrims representing different social strata and nationalities made a beeline for the river front to participate in the first “shahi snan”, signalling the start of the Maha Kumbh.
The devotees who gathered at the Sangam to experience the celestial event that occurs once every 144 years included centenarians, sadhus of 13 Hindu akharas, newly anointed child sanyasis and even toddlers.
Over a period of 45 days of the largest religious gathering globally, more than 40 crore people, including foreigners, are expected to visit Prayagraj.
Among pilgrims to Prayagraj are Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs; former US Army soldier-turned-ascetic Michael, who joined the Juna Akhara adopting the Hindu name ‘Baba Mokshapuri’; and countless other devotees who walked towards the Sangam Ghat this morning in the midst of blaring conch shells and seers with ash-smeared faces. Juna Akhara is the largest among the 13 Hindu religious orders which dominate the Maha Kumbh rituals.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that with the holy bath on Paush Purnima, the Maha Kumbh had begun on the holy land of Prayagraj.
“On this divine occasion linked to our faith and culture, I salute and greet all the devotees with all my heart. I wish that this huge festival of Indian spiritual tradition brings forth new energy and enthusiasm in the lives of all of you,” Modi said.
Arriving in Prayagraj on Monday, senior BJP leader Uma Bharti showered generous praises on UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for what he described as “unprecedented arrangements” this year.
“I have been attending the Maha Kumbh at Shri Prayagraj since 1977, but I have never witnessed such excellent arrangements, security, facilities, and the remarkably polite demeanour of the administration and police towards pilgrims. Blessed is India, blessed is Shri Prayagraj, and blessed is this divine Maha Kumbh,” Uma Bharti said.
The most auspicious time of the day for the first holy dip on Monday was between 5.27 am and 6.21 am the period that saw a surge of crowds at Sangam Ghat.
The other days for the holy dip are January 14 (Makar Sankranti); January 29 (Mauni Amavasya); February 3 (Basant Panchami); February 12 (Magh Purnima) and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).