Sangam – the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati – witnesses the last dip of the Kumbh Mela on Mahashivratri on Monday, 4 March. More than one crore devotees took holy dip in the Sangam till Monday evening, the officials said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister JP Nadda and Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura Jishnu Dev Varma took a holy dip at the Kumbh Mela on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
PM Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind took to Twitter to send Mahashivratri greetings. Film and TV personalities also wished their followers on the auspicious day.
- The Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj started on 15 January
- Heavy security has been deployed, including ATS commandos, anti-sabotage commandos with snipers, bomb disposal units, sniffer dog squads and intelligence units
- From Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple in Maharashtra’s Nashik to Shivkhori Temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, devotees thronged temples to offer their prayers
- The domestic equity and currency derivatives markets are closed on account of a holiday
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VHP Workers Celebrate Mahashivratri, Promote Ram Temple in Kolkata
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Bengal unit workers Monday, took part in the Mahashivratri celebrations across the state to create awareness about construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, a senior VHP leader said, reported PTI.
"The aim of organising this programme was to create awareness among the masses about Ram Temple at Ayodhya. There has been huge response among the masses," claimed VHP State Secretary Sachindranath Singha.
VHP's youth wing, the Bajrang Dal and women wing, the Durga Vahini also played an active part in organising processions and rallies across the state.
The VHP organised programmes at several parts of the state, called 'Jalabhishek' - "Ek lota pani Ram ke naam" (One mug of water in the name of Lord Ram) on the occasion.
It's a Divine Experience: Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister JP Nadda and Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura Jishnu Dev Varma took a holy dip at the Kumbh Mela on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
“It’s a divine experience,” Fadnavis said, after taking a holy bath at the Sangam.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Kumbh Mela.
(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ @airnewsalerts)
Over 1 Crore Devotees Take Holy Dip in Sangam
More than one crore devotees took holy dip in the Sangam area till Monday evening, officials said, according to PTI.
"Till evening, as many as 1.10 crore devotees have taken a dip in the Sangam area. With Mahashivratri's snaan, so far more than 24.05 crore devotees have taken a dip during this year's Kumbh," Kumbh Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand said.
UP Sugarcane Development and Sugar Mills Minister Suresh Rana took a dip in the Sangam, and later visited the media centre.
A UP government spokesperson said, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will participate in the formal closing ceremony of the mega event on Tuesday, 5 March.
80 Lakh Devotees Take Holy Dip Till Late Afternoon
Even before midnight, devotees from different walks of life and parts of the country began to pour into Sangam city for the holy dip on Mahashivratri.
Till late afternoon, as many as 80 lakh devotees took a dip in the Sangam area, Kumbh Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand said, reported PTI.
As the visitors were heading towards the ghats, chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' filled the air, albeit the occasional police announcement.