Millions Brave Cold for Sacred Mauni Amavasya Dip at Haridwar, Varanasi & Prayagraj
Millions of devotees take holy dip in Ganga at Haridwar, Varanasi, and Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya amid cold and fog.
A massive outpouring of faith marked the observance of Mauni Amavasya on Sunday as Haridwar, Varanasi, and Prayagraj witnessed an overwhelming influx of devotees. Braving harsh winter conditions, pilgrims reached the ghats before dawn to take the sacred bath, believed to cleanse sins and bring spiritual merit. Tight security and elaborate crowd management arrangements ensured smooth conduct of the rituals.
In Haridwar, thousands assembled at the iconic Har Ki Pauri to take a dip in the Ganges and perform traditional rites. The local administration deployed extensive security personnel, surveillance systems, and crowd-control measures to manage the steady flow of devotees throughout the day. Many pilgrims described the ritual as an annual family tradition with deep ancestral significance.
Varanasi’s ghats echoed with devotional chants as devotees observed fasts, offered prayers, and donated according to their capacity. Vedic priest Vivekananda at Dashashwamedh Ghat explained that Mauni Amavasya, observed during the Krishna Paksha of the Magh month, holds special importance for ancestral worship. Pilgrims, including children, participated with profound devotion despite the cold weather.
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In Prayagraj, Mauni Amavasya marked the third and largest bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela. From midnight onward, massive crowds converged at the Sangam Ghat under dense fog. Astrologers highlighted the day’s spiritual significance, noting the belief that millions of deities descend upon the Sangam to observe the sacred vow of silence during the holy dip.
Authorities implemented robust safety measures, including the deployment of NDRF and SDRF teams, CCTV surveillance, and drone monitoring. Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal stated that nearly 50 lakh devotees had taken the holy dip since Saturday evening, while officials confirmed that the bathing rituals proceeded peacefully and without disruption across all ghats.
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