Even before the first ray of the sun appeared in the holy city of Prayagraj, amidst dense fog and biting cold, a huge crowd of devotees gathered in the Maha Kumbh city on the sacred festival of Makar Sankranti. On the first Amrit Snan festival of Maha Kumbh, the whole world was immersed in the Triveni of devotion.
On Tuesday, following the Sanatan tradition, the Akharas took a divine and grand Amrit Snan in the Sangam. The devotees were thrilled to see the divinity and feats of the Naga Sadhus and saints who arrived with the procession riding on horses and chariots, giving a wonderful display of Buddhist art with spears, tridents, and swords.
3.5 crore devotees took a dip
The Acharyas, Mandaleshwars, Mahamandaleshwars, and Acharya Mahamandaleshwars of the Akharas reached the Sangam in chariots, dressed up. Culture lovers not only from the country but from all over the world gathered at one shore in the Brahma Muhurta itself to witness this rare moment. The waves of faith swelled in such a way that by late night, 3.5 crore devotees had taken a dip. Now the second Amrit Snan will be on January 29 on Mauni Amavasya, while the third Amrit Snan will be on February 3 on Vasant Panchami.
The world is immersed in the waves of devotion...the splendor of Acharyas, Mandaleshwars, and Mahamandaleshwars.
Not only the country, but culture lovers from Asia to Europe flocked to one shore to take a holy dip and witness that rare moment. Waves of faith started surging. Not even a ray of light had emerged in the Tirtharaj that a flood of devotees thronged the Mahakumbh city amidst the bone-chilling cold.
Crores of people from the country and abroad reached the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and invisible Saraswati for Amrit Snan. This scene of the holy bath reflects the depth of Indian culture and tradition. First of all, the royal bath of the Akharas took place. Naga sadhus of Panchayati Nirvani Akhara took Amrit Snan in their royal form with spears, tridents, and swords.
Saints and sages participated in the procession riding on horses and chariots. The bhajan troupes accompanying them and the chanting of the devotees made the atmosphere more divine. Earlier, 1.75 crore people had taken a holy dip on the first bathing festival of Maha Kumbh, Paush Purnima.
Mahanirvani Akhara took the first dip.
First of all, riding on a chariot, the Naga sanyasis and Mahamandaleshwar of Mahanirvani Akhara reached for the Amrit bath. Nagas of Atal Akhara, their wipes covered with ash, walked along chanting slogans with swords and spears. Last of all, the saints of Nirmal Akhara took a bath at 3:50 pm.
Playing like children in the lap of Triveni
During the first Amrit bath, the Naga sadhus attracted everyone's attention through traditional and unique activities.
The Naga sadhus leading most of the Akharas reached the Sangam bank, waving spears and swords and demonstrating the art of war.
Hundreds of Nagas arrived on horses in the procession of Akharas that started for the bath. These sadhus who arrived with flowers, garlands in their dreadlocks, waving tridents in the air, and playing drums mesmerized everyone.
The sadhus took the first dip with 21 adornments. The Dharmarakshak Nagas living in the caves, monasteries, and temples of the Himalayas were seen frolicking like children in the lap of Mother Ganga.
Female Naga ascetics also participated.
Female Naga ascetics who are engrossed in meditation and yoga were also present in large numbers.
The Naga sadhus gave this message to the world through their discipline and performance... Maha Kumbh is not just a religious ritual, but also a celebration of the spiritual and natural union of humans.
Devotees everywhere
With bundles on their heads and bags in their arms, devotees were rushing towards the Ganga from midnight itself. In the Nagvasuki temple and Sangam area, only heads were visible on the roads from early morning. All the roads leading to Sangam were full of devotees.
Tight security from ghats to pontoon bridges
Vehicles were checked by putting up barricades on every road. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed at every step. The police team marched on foot into the fair area with a horse and kept clearing the way for the Amrit bath of the Akharas.
Lauren Powell Jobs fell ill and could not take the holy dip.
American billionaire woman entrepreneur Lauren Powell Jobs, who had come for Kalpavas, has fallen ill. Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri of Niranjani Akhara said that Lauren has rashes on her hand. Due to this, she could not take the Amrit bath. Amidst the severe cold and bad weather on the sands of Sangam, the reason for her illness is allergy.
The suspect was caught outside Yeti Narasimhanand's room.
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