SANGAM (PRAYAGRAJ): Their bare bodies smeared with sacred ashes, flowers in their matted hair, garlands around their necks and their tridents, spears, and swords held high, hundreds of mystical monks led their respective akharas in a pre-decided order for Amrit Snan that saw over 3.5 crore devotees taking the holy dip on Makar Sankranti on Tuesday.
The Naga Sadhus, considered disciples of Lord Shiva and protectors of Santan Dharm, were the first to take the sacred bath, followed by other seers and devotees. Lakhs of faithfuls lined up beside the special corridors the akharas took to the Sangam to have a glimpse of the sadhus as they marched for the first Amrit Snan this Maha Kumbh. The other two Amrit Snans will take place on Mauni Amavasya (Jan 29) and Basant Panchami (Feb 3).
The acharyas and mahamandaleshwars of the respective akharas arrived on beautifully decorated chariots mounted on tractor trolleys. Fellow seers and members of the akharas walked behind them. The procession of Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani was the first to reach the Sangam for the Amrit Snan. The deity of the akhara, Lord Kapil Dev, and the Naga sanyasis led the akhara. According to tradition, Bhaladev of the akhara took a bath first, followed by Naga sadhus, then Acharya Mahamandaleshwar and other seers.After Mahanirvani, it was the turn of the Atal Akhara. Likewise, the other 11 akharas performed the Amrit snan one after the other, arriving by one set of pontoon bridges and leaving by another. While the akharas and devotees were taking a holy dip in Sangam, flower petals were showered on the devotees from a helicopter with the devotees shouting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and “Jai Shri Ram”. The senior seers, riding the make-shift chariots were also seen throwing toffees and flowers as prasad towards devotees.
While a large number of devotees stood for hours to have darshan of seers from different akharas, the Naga sadhus, adorned with spears, tridents, and swords, stole the show. Their captivating display of spiritual fervor and martial artistry mesmerized the pilgrims. Bhajan troupes and chanting devotees added to the divine ambience and spiritual energy. In the procession, while some Naga sadhus were riding horses, others were marching on foot.
Devotees had started reaching the banks of Ganga by Monday midnight, and the Amrit Snan began in early hours in the icy waters of the Sangam. But that was hardly a deterrent for them and over 1.5 crore had taken the holy dip by 12 noon. The sea of faithful continued to swell till the sundown and by 6.30 pm, the count had reached 3.5 crore, which was 1.5 crore more than the turnout recorded on Makar Sankranti in the 2019 Kumbh mela.
In the past two days. more than 5.1 crore have taken the sacred bath here. Makar Sankranti marked the transition of the Sun into Capricorn, signifying the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. It is a harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God and holds immense cultural and spiritual significance.The mela administration is expecting another 5 crore devotees on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
While the Sangam banks showcased an awe-inspiring confluence of faith, devotion and spirituality, devotees from all across the world, including USA, Israel, France, Brazil, flocked made a beeline to take a holy dip. For the second consecutive day, the state government organized a grand flower shower from helicopters, bathing crores of devotees at the Sangam bank with rose petals. Flowers were showered on all the 44 ghats and akharas.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri of Niranjani Akhara said that Amrit snan was a symbol of years of penance, sadhana, love and deep faith of the sages and saints. “The water of the Ganga is like nectar. When the sages and saints take a dip in the Ganga and worship Bhagwan Mahadev, Maa Ganga and Sungod, they feel that all the gods are closer to them. This moment is the biggest festival of their sadhak life,” he added.
