New Delhi: Mauni Amavasya, one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar is observed with great devotion across India. To ensure that the auspicious tradition of month-long ‘Magh Mela’ and holy bathing at the Sangam takes place smoothly, the Yogi-led state government made all efforts by providing strict security amidst hygienic surroundings to all the devotees.
Flower petals on devotees & saints from helicopter
As many as 50 lakh people from various parts of the country braved the cold and fog on Thursday morning and took a holy dip in the Sangam — the confluence of holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati, on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya’.
People started arriving at the Magh Mela township from Wednesday evening and the entire place bustled with frantic activity as men, women, old and young, seers, religious leaders and spiritual gurus made their way for a holy dip.
धर्मनगरी प्रयागराज में मौनी अमावस्या के पावन अवसर पर आज कल्पवासियों एवं श्रद्धालुओं पर पुष्पवर्षा सनातन संस्कृति व आस्था को नमन है।
यहां सभी श्रद्धालुओं की सुविधा एवं सुरक्षा के समुचित प्रबंध किए गए हैं।
पवित्र संगम में आस्था की डुबकी सभी के लिए मंगलमय हो।#यूपी_में_पुष्प_वर्षा pic.twitter.com/tT8O1BVmb4— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 11, 2021
Sangam reverberates with ‘Jai Ganga Maiyya’, ‘Har Har Gange’ chants
The banks of Sangam reverberated with chants of ‘Jai Ganga Maiyya’ and ‘Har Har Gange’ as the devotees and saints took holy dip in Ganga. The excitement of the devotees doubled when at the CM’s directions, flower petals were showered on them through helicopter which was later highly appreciated by the pilgrims as it honored the divine festival.
Hindu devotees believe that the water of the holy Ganga, ‘turns into nectar’ on Mauni Amavasya. Many devotees residing as ‘Kalpavasis’ take a holy dip in the Ganga not only on Mauni Amavasya day but also during the whole month of Magha and the daily bathing ritual starts on Paush Purnima and ends on Magha Purnima. The State Government has made complete arrangements for their safe and convenient stay.
Proper Sanitation, heightened security
CM Yogi securing PM Modi’s vision of ‘Swachh Bharat’ had issued directives to ensure special arrangements for proper and hygienic sanitation system. In addition to this, CM also gave instructions to keep convenience, safety and cleanliness at the fair premises paramount. Adequate security arrangements have been made in and around the township, not only to ensure that no subversive element slipped into the crowd but also to guide the thronging millions and ensure their safety as they go to the river to take a dip. Along with cleanliness, the government had also urged the devotees to abide by the corona prevention guidelines and social distancing norms.
CM Yogi’s greetings to devotees
CM Yogi congratulated the devotees and the people of the state on the auspicious day of ‘Mauni Amavasya’.
मौनी अमावस्या के पावन अवसर पर पवित्र संगम में स्नान का पुण्य लाभ अर्जित कर रहे सभी श्रद्धालुओं की सकल मनोकामनाएं पूर्ण हों।
धर्मनगरी प्रयागराज में सभी कल्पवासियों की साधना सुगमता से पूर्ण हो।
माँ गंगा से प्रार्थना है कि उनकी आध्यात्मिक अपेक्षाओं को पूर्णता प्रदान करें।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 11, 2021
Expressing his best wishes to the devotees, CM Yogi wrote on the microblogging site twitter, “My best greetings to all the devotees and people of the state on the auspicious day of ‘Mauni Amavasya’, a great festival of faith for all. This holy day reveals the importance of fasting and charity and has a great relevance for all. May Lord Shri Rama fill everyone’s life with happiness, peace and prosperity”.
