Prayagraj: The Akharas began the third grand ‘Amrit Snan’ at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, early Monday morning. This time, security measures were stricter after a tragic stampede on the previous holy bathing day left at least 30 people dead.
To prevent any mishaps, the mela authorities, along with senior sadhus, planned a fixed schedule for the ritual. Each akhara was given 40 minutes to bathe in the sacred waters. The first group finished their ritual and returned to their camps by 8:30 am. Mounted police closely monitored the Sangam area. Mahanirvani and Atal Akharas left their camps at 4 am—earlier than their previous schedule on Makar Sankranti (January 14), when they had started at 5:15 am. They were expected to finish their bath by 5:40 am.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | #MahaKumbhMela2025 | Drone visuals of Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Triveni Sangam, as thousands of devotees gather for the third Amrit Snan on the occassion of Basant Panchami. pic.twitter.com/LtLjC083QP
— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2025
Here are the top updates:
- Sadhus from various akharas arrived at the bathing ghats in royal processions with full pomp and show.
- They were asked to complete their holy dip by 3:55 pm on Monday.
- Common devotees were allowed to bathe at the Sangam ghats after the sadhus finished.
- Chiefs of different akharas, known as Mahamandleshwars, led the processions for the third ‘Amrit Snan’.
- At dawn, ash-smeared Naga sadhus and other devotees began their ceremonial journey to the Triveni Sangam.
- CM Yogi has been monitoring the holy ritual from 3:30 am and has issued necessary instructions to authorities.
- The Basant Panchami snan held special significance after the recent stampede on Mauni Amavasya, which left 30 dead and 60 injured.
- The stampede occurred at Sangam Nose, believed to have higher spiritual significance.
- The Uttar Pradesh government and akharas urged devotees not to rush to the main confluence, stating all ghats were equally sacred.
- By 4 am on Monday, 16.58 lakh devotees had taken a holy dip.
- Since January 13, 34.97 crore pilgrims have participated, including 10 lakh kalpvasis and 6.58 lakh pilgrims.
- Akharas from the Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen sects followed a fixed bathing order.
- The first procession started at 4 am with major akharas like Mahanirvani, Atal, Niranjani, and Juna Akhara.
- Each akhara was given a 40-minute slot, with the first group completing their dip by 8:30 am.
