The Mauni Amavasya bathing festival, the biggest event of the Magh Mela, began at Prayagraj with millions of devotees taking a holy dip at the Sangam. Bathing started from the Brahma Muhurat amid tight security arrangements.
Over Three Crore Devotees Expected for Mauni Amavasya Snan in Prayagraj
Prayagraj: The third and largest bathing festival of the Magh Mela began today with Mauni Amavasya. A sea of devotees has gathered in the Sangam city of Prayagraj. The holy bath began at 4 a.m. during the Brahma Muhurta, with devotees from across the country arriving at the Sangam banks. According to administration estimates, over 30 million devotees are expected to arrive on Mauni Amavasya.
In view of the massive crowd, the fair administration has made extensive security and order arrangements. A nearly three-and-a-half-kilometer-long bathing ghat has been prepared. Police, administrative officials, and volunteers are deployed from the Sangam Nose to the main roads. The crowd is being continuously monitored through drones, CCTV, and a control room to ensure any emergencies can be addressed immediately.
Mauni Amavasya: Prayagraj braces for largest Snan as millions of devotees arrive
The crowd of devotees began moving towards the Sangam from late Saturday night. The bathing continued uninterrupted after 12 midnight. Nearly 5 million devotees had taken a dip in the Sangam. Even after this, the number of bathers continued to rise.
Mauni Amavasya is considered the royal bath of the Magh Mela. According to religious beliefs, observing silence, bathing, and donating on this day bestows special merit. Nearly 15 million devotees had already taken a holy dip the day before. The confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati at the Sangam further enhances the significance of this bath.
It is believed that bathing in the Sangam during the month of Magh liberates one from the cycle of birth and death and attains salvation. During this period, donations, prayers, yagnas, chanting, and havans also hold special significance. Devotees bathe in the Sangam with the hope of liberation from their sins and happiness and prosperity.
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On Mauni Amavasya, taking three dips in the holy river and offering prayers while facing the sun is considered auspicious. During this time, the deity and ancestors are remembered. Devotees bathing at home can mix Ganga water with the water, and observing silence for a while is also considered fruitful.
According to astrologers, Mauni Amavasya will begin at 11:53 pm on January 17th and will continue until 1:08 am on January 18th. Therefore, the practice of bathing at the Sangam is likely to continue late into the night.
