Allahabad: The world's largest gathering of people, the 55-day Kumbh congregation, began in Allahabad on Monday with tens of thousands of devotees, led by ash-smeared Naga ascetics, taking a dip at the holy confluence of three rivers - the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
Held in this Uttar Pradesh town after every 12 years, the first day of the Maha Kumbh is likely to see one crore people taking a holy dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Elaborate arrangements were made on the VIP ghat, where the 13 sects of sadhus lead bathers in a mutually agreed sequence.
As the clock struck five Monday morning, heavily decked-up chariots, some in silver and gold, wound their way to the confluence, with hundreds following in procession on foot, beating drums and blowing conch shells. There was a mad frenzy in the foreign and national media, with photographers rushing to get photographs of the naked, ash-smeared Naga sadhus jumping into the chilly waters of the Ganges.
Before they did so, the sadhus danced and threw garlands at the press gallery in gay abandon, waving to hundreds of followers on the other side. Carrying silver tridents, maces, axes and swords, some of the sadhus with flowing beards said that they felt on top of the world as they "touched mother Ganges".
"This is an electrifying moment," said a visibly elated 75-year-old Mokshanand from Vrindavan, who said he this was his seventh Kumbh in a row. Several rows of sandbags have been piled up on the three kilometre 'bathing stretch', said Mani Prasad Misra, official in-charge of Kumbh 2013.
Misra said arrangements had been made to ensure that the Ganges flowed "well and clean" during the major bathing days. A special team of 10,000 sweepers have been pressed into service to keep the area clean.
"Deep water barricading has been done and an extensive presence of 'jal' police has also been pressed into service to avoid mishaps," Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law & Order Arun Kumar said. Policemen from Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring Uttarakhand were on vigil. Many policemen were seen blowing whistles to keep crowds in order, while some were spotted showing lost devotees the way.
At daybreak, many thousands had already taken a holy dip. Many more were pouring in from all corners of the premises, spread across 193.5 hectares. For those who have not been able to reach the bathing sites, 13 huge LED screens, both mobile and stationary, were playing the recording of the bathing sessions.
Over 100 foreign journalists and more than 500 local and national journalists are present in Allahabad. Special arrangements have been made for the coverage of the event that is likely to be beamed across the globe.
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