Prayagraj: Unwavered by biting cold and dense fog more than two lakh devotees took dip in Sangam, the confluence of holy Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers, on the occasion Paush Purnima the first Snan on Magh Mela in Prayagraj till 10 am on Friday.
According to the control room set up in the Mela area 2.05 lakh devotees took a dip in Sangam till 10 am. The process of taking a dip in the Ganga at the Sangam and other banks has started since dawn.
Thousands of people took a dip on Ganga ghats in sector three, four and five. After taking a dip of faith, the devotees worshiped Maa Ganga with full rituals and offered milk.
Magh Mela Officer Arvind Singh Chauhan said that this time the fair area is spread over an area of 700 hectares and has been divided in six sectors. Arrangements have been made to ensure that seers, saints and Kalpavasis get facilities in their sectors only, he said.
He said that a 500 bed dormitory is being prepared so that devotees do not face any kind of trouble due to cold in Magh Mela area. He said that the divers of the water police will continue to patrol with motorboats on all the 14 ghats prepared for the devotees to take bath to deal with any situation on time.
He said that in addition, divers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Jal Police are deployed on 50 motorboats and 100 boats. "The Mela and city area is divided into seven zones and 18 sectors," he said.
Chauhan said that the Mela administration has got 14 ghats prepared on the Sangam bank for the devotees to take a dip of faith and avoid jostling. Their total length is more than 6000 thousand running feet. (UNI)