Prayagraj: In the shadow of Kovid-19, about 10.5 lakh devotees took holy dip in two days of Makar Sankranti running during the first big shower Magh Mela, Of these, about 6.5 lakh took a holy bath on Friday, while about 4 lakh people reached here. fair area on Saturday.
By 12 noon, around 2.25 lakh devotees had taken a holy dip. By 2 pm, the figures increased to 3 lakh. By the end of the day, around 4 lakh people had taken a holy dip at the various ghats of Maghi. fair Area.
Due to the two-day long festival, a large number of devotees took a holy dip on Friday itself. However, as per Hindu astrological calculations, since Saturday’s sunrise was under the Shubh Muhurta (auspicious time) of Sankranti, all the prominent saints, their disciples and a large number of devotees took a holy bath on Saturday.
The 47-day religious congregation Magh Mela-2022 formally began on Friday with the first official bathing of Makar Sankranti at the Sangam Ghats in Prayagraj, where over 10.5 lakh devotees took the holy dip. However, on Saturday also the same number of devotees reached the ghats of the Ganges and Sangam rivers.
“Around 2.25 lakh devotees had taken holy bath till 12 noon and by the end of the day around 4 lakh pilgrims took holy bath, no untoward incident was reported from five and one sub-zone of Vishal Mela area,” said Happened. Mela Officer, Shesh Mani Pandey.
Devotees started coming in large numbers from Thursday onwards and continued throughout the day till Friday and Saturday. Devotees arrived from different districts of the state and also from neighboring states to beat the bitter cold and to overcome the fear of Kovid-19.
In view of the rush of devotees, traffic diversion was imposed at all the entrances of Prayagraj district. The Railways and the UP State Roadways Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) had made various arrangements for the devotees.
Despite repeated appeals and attempts by the pilgrims to observe social distancing and wear face masks to contain the spread of COVID-19, most of the visitors were seen violating the prescribed norms. However, this time the lesser crowd of pilgrims eased the situation somewhat as the usual sight of pilgrims taking a shoulder-to-shoulder dip at the bathing ghats was not usually visible. To prevent the spread of coronavirus in the mela area, officials continued to announce the importance of wearing masks.
About 1,25,000 masks were distributed in the Mela area till 12 noon on the second day of the holy bath of Makar Sankranti. Of these, about 55,000 masks were distributed at the Sangam nose itself. Though around 25 COVID help desks have been set up in the Mela area, awareness is being spread about compliance of COVID protocols and help is being provided to the people as per their needs,” the Mela official said.
Makar Sankranti Snan is the second most important bath during Magh Mela after Mauni Amavasya which falls on 1st February this year. The Magh Mela will end with Maha Shivratri Snan (bathing) on 1st March. This time, the announcements to follow the Covid-19 protocol dominated the sound of bhajans and kirtans. Pilgrims at 16 odd entry points were allowed to enter the Mela area only after thermal scanning.
Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Sanjay Goyal And other officials were personally appealing to the pilgrims to vacate the ghats immediately after taking a dip to prevent crowding.
By 12 noon, around 2.25 lakh devotees had taken a holy dip. By 2 pm, the figures increased to 3 lakh. By the end of the day, around 4 lakh people had taken a holy dip at the various ghats of Maghi. fair Area.
Due to the two-day long festival, a large number of devotees took a holy dip on Friday itself. However, as per Hindu astrological calculations, since Saturday’s sunrise was under the Shubh Muhurta (auspicious time) of Sankranti, all the prominent saints, their disciples and a large number of devotees took a holy bath on Saturday.
The 47-day religious congregation Magh Mela-2022 formally began on Friday with the first official bathing of Makar Sankranti at the Sangam Ghats in Prayagraj, where over 10.5 lakh devotees took the holy dip. However, on Saturday also the same number of devotees reached the ghats of the Ganges and Sangam rivers.
“Around 2.25 lakh devotees had taken holy bath till 12 noon and by the end of the day around 4 lakh pilgrims took holy bath, no untoward incident was reported from five and one sub-zone of Vishal Mela area,” said Happened. Mela Officer, Shesh Mani Pandey.
Devotees started coming in large numbers from Thursday onwards and continued throughout the day till Friday and Saturday. Devotees arrived from different districts of the state and also from neighboring states to beat the bitter cold and to overcome the fear of Kovid-19.
In view of the rush of devotees, traffic diversion was imposed at all the entrances of Prayagraj district. The Railways and the UP State Roadways Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) had made various arrangements for the devotees.
Despite repeated appeals and attempts by the pilgrims to observe social distancing and wear face masks to contain the spread of COVID-19, most of the visitors were seen violating the prescribed norms. However, this time the lesser crowd of pilgrims eased the situation somewhat as the usual sight of pilgrims taking a shoulder-to-shoulder dip at the bathing ghats was not usually visible. To prevent the spread of coronavirus in the mela area, officials continued to announce the importance of wearing masks.
About 1,25,000 masks were distributed in the Mela area till 12 noon on the second day of the holy bath of Makar Sankranti. Of these, about 55,000 masks were distributed at the Sangam nose itself. Though around 25 COVID help desks have been set up in the Mela area, awareness is being spread about compliance of COVID protocols and help is being provided to the people as per their needs,” the Mela official said.
Makar Sankranti Snan is the second most important bath during Magh Mela after Mauni Amavasya which falls on 1st February this year. The Magh Mela will end with Maha Shivratri Snan (bathing) on 1st March. This time, the announcements to follow the Covid-19 protocol dominated the sound of bhajans and kirtans. Pilgrims at 16 odd entry points were allowed to enter the Mela area only after thermal scanning.
Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Sanjay Goyal And other officials were personally appealing to the pilgrims to vacate the ghats immediately after taking a dip to prevent crowding.
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