Devotees take a holy dip in Ganga river on the occasion of Guru Purnima, a festival that is dedicated to teachers and mentors. Watch in for more details!

India: Devotees takes holy dip in Ganga river on the occasion of Guru Purnima

With Shiva's name in the air, 55-day Kumbh comes to close today

Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Ganga Maiya Ki Jai' rented the air as lakhs of devotees took dip at Sangam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers here on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima.

The penultimate bathing day of the over 50-day-long Kumbh Mela, Maghi Purnima marks the end of the month-long penance period of Kalpwasi pilgrims.

"Kalpwasis are usually regarded the most faithful pilgrims of Prayaga Kumbh Mela. They vow to live an austere and minimalist life on the banks of the Ganga for a month.

"After today's holy bath they all will head back to their respective homes," explained an old ascetic.

<img alt="Kumbh Mela" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5baf586c-118b-4c9a-9bf1-70e7c80aa49e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_3.jpg" />

A Naga sadhu sits on the banks of Sangam — the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj. (AFP Photo)

A nip in the air failed to deter the overwhelming crowd of devotees seen taking the holy dip as early as 4 am, despite vehicle restrictions in the vicinity of the makeshift township of Kumbh Nagri.

<img alt="Kumbh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c0dc5c63-29b0-4c6e-8979-27a0c0d1ef6e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_7.jpg" />

"I have seen that the crowd picks up later in the day. So it makes sense to take the dip early in the morning," said Aditya Langar from Pathankot, who was busy drying up his clothes after taking the dip.

Forty-nine special trains and 2,500 buses were pressed into service by the administration to ferry devotees from far away places to the Kumbh on Maghi Purnima.

Though not a shahi snan, Maghi Purnima like Paush Purnima and Maha Shivratri&nbsp;is called a 'parv snan' and is part of the six important bathing days during the Kumbh.

The belief is that a dip in the Ganga on an auspicious day washes away sins.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday declared the day Maghi Purnima a public holiday.

According to the administration, over 1.50 crore devotees are expected to take the holy dip by the end of the day. As many as 40 bathing ghats have been prepared to manage the crowd.

Over 1.07 crore pilgrims had taken the dip in Sangam area on Paush Purnima on January 21.

The grand festival, which commenced on Makar Sankranti (January 15), will mark the last bathing day on March 4 on Maha Shivratri.&nbsp;

Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Ganga Maiya Ki Jai' rented the air as lakhs of devotees took dip at Sangam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers here on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima.

Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Ganga Maiya Ki Jai' rented the air as lakhs of devotees took dip at Sangam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers here on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima. The penultimate bathing day of the over 50-day-long Kumbh Mela, Maghi Purnima marks the end of the month-long penance period of Kalpwasi pilgrims. "Kalpwasis are usually regarded the most faithful pilgrims of Prayaga Kumbh Mela. They vow to live an austere and minimalist life on the banks of the Ganga for a month. "After today's holy bath they all will head back to their respective homes," explained an old ascetic. A Naga sadhu sits on the banks of Sangam — the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj. (AFP Photo) A nip in the air failed to deter the overwhelming crowd of devotees seen taking the holy dip as early as 4 am, despite vehicle restrictions in the vicinity of the makeshift township of Kumbh Nagri. "I have seen that the crowd picks up later in the day. So it makes sense to take the dip early in the morning," said Aditya Langar from Pathankot, who was busy drying up his clothes after taking the dip. Forty-nine special trains and 2,500 buses were pressed into service by the administration to ferry devotees from far away places to the Kumbh on Maghi Purnima. Though not a shahi snan, Maghi Purnima like Paush Purnima and Maha Shivratri is called a 'parv snan' and is part of the six important bathing days during the Kumbh. The belief is that a dip in the Ganga on an auspicious day washes away sins. The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday declared the day Maghi Purnima a public holiday. According to the administration, over 1.50 crore devotees are expected to take the holy dip by the end of the day. As many as 40 bathing ghats have been prepared to manage the crowd. Over 1.07 crore pilgrims had taken the dip in Sangam area on Paush Purnima on January 21. The grand festival, which commenced on Makar Sankranti (January 15), will mark the last bathing day on March 4 on Maha Shivratri.

Kumbh Mela 2019: Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' rent air as devotees take holy dip on 'Maghi Purnima'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/blog-former-national-basketball-player-turned-cosmic-healer-draws-attention-at-kumbh-mela-191548">The mega Kumbh Mela</a>, which began on January 15 and will continue till March 4, is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 1.2 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh, says apex industry body Confederation of Indian Industry.

Although the Kumbh Mela is spiritual and religious in nature, the economic activities associated with it generate employment for over six lakh workers across various sectors, CII said in a report.

The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated Rs 4,200 crore for the 50-day Kumbh Mela this time, which is over thrice the budget of the Maha Kumbh in 2013, making the mega pilgrimage perhaps the costliest ever.

The hospitality sector aims at employing 2,50,000 people, airlines and airports around 1,50,000 and tour operators around 45,000. The employment numbers in eco-tourism and medical tourism are being estimated at 85,000, says a CII study.

Apart from this, there will be around 55,000 new jobs in the unorganized sector comprising of tour guides, taxi drivers, interpreters, volunteers etc.&nbsp; 
This will lead to increase income levels for government agencies and individual traders.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-crore-people-take-dip-as-kumbh-mela-begins-in-prayagraj-190554">Attracting a massive number of foreign tourists</a> from various countries like Australia, UK, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, New Zealand, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka, the Kumbh is a festival of the world.

"The 'mela' is expected to generate a revenue of Rs1,200 billion for Uttar Pradesh, the state where it is being held, while neighbouring states like Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh will also benefit from the enhanced revenue generation with a large number of national and foreign tourists expected to explore other destinations.

The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated a hefty amount of Rs 4,200 crore for the Kumbh Mela held in Allahabad, which has become the costliest pilgrimage till date.

"The UP government has allocated Rs 4,200 crore for 2019 Kumbh Mela. The previous state government had spent around Rs 1,300 crore for the Maha Kumbh, which was held in 2013," state Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal told PTI.

The area of Kumbh Mela has also been doubled to 3,200 hectares as compared to 1,600 hectares in the previous melas.

The Kumbh is a unique and massive gathering of both rural and urban population and also has a huge dispersal factor as people travel long distances across the country.&nbsp;

In order to house this multitude, authorities have erected a mini-city of more than 4,000 tents. The city is being lit by installing over 40,000 LED lights, say local authorities.

Overhauling of key infrastructure is being done, including upgrading nine railways stations and construction of a new airport terminal in Allahabad.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumbh-2019-largest-temporary-city-of-world-to-have-250-kilometre-long-roads-22-bridges-188891">The setting up of this new city in the huge Mela</a> area involves 250-kilometre&nbsp;roads and 22 pontoon bridges, which will make it the largest temporary city in the world.

The Kumbh, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage, is thus expected to generate direct and indirect business activities, the fruits of which would hopefully benefit the economy not only of Uttar Pradesh but that of India as a whole, the CII document says.&nbsp;

The Kumbh at Sangam city Prayagraj, as Allahabad is now known, dates back to a hoary past, whose first mention of was made some 2,000 years ago by the Chinese traveller Hsuan Tsang who visited India during the reign on King Harshvardhana.

Based on a complex astrological calculation, the alignment of the stars determines the time and place of the 'Kumbh' in one of the following four river-sites: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nasik, and Ujjain.

It is a celebration of an ancient tradition, a dip in the holy waters where the mythical Saraswati, Ganga and Yamuna meet. These riverside festivals and the city that springs up around them are attended by millions, making the 'Kumbh Mela' the largest religious gathering, perhaps the oldest, and the largest temporary city in the world.

Learned seers believe that a dip in the waters would endow an individual with religious merit.&nbsp;

Masses of devotees gather on the riverbank to attain spiritual enlightenment, some in the belief that doing so will lead them worldly success, others simply to purify their souls.

The Kumbh Mela gets its worldwide reputation as a mega-event not only because of the sheer number of people who attend the fair but also for a widespread display of cultural traits of a nation, which is bound by ties of faith and traditions.

Around 12 crore people are expected to visit the Kumbh between now and Maha Shivratri on March 4, when the Mela will come to a close on Maha Shivratri day.

The first "Shahi Snan' (royal bath) of Kumbh on January 15 drew a record crowd of 2.25 devotees, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been meticulously supervising minute details personally to make the event "Divya Kumbh, Bhavya Kumbh".

Although the Kumbh Mela is spiritual and religious in nature, the economic activities associated with it generate employment for over six lakh workers across various sectors, CII said in a report.

The mega Kumbh Mela, which began on January 15 and will continue till March 4, is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 1.2 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh, says apex industry body Confederation of Indian Industry. Although the Kumbh Mela is spiritual and religious in nature, the economic activities associated with it generate employment for over six lakh workers across various sectors, CII said in a report. The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated Rs 4,200 crore for the 50-day Kumbh Mela this time, which is over thrice the budget of the Maha Kumbh in 2013, making the mega pilgrimage perhaps the costliest ever. The hospitality sector aims at employing 2,50,000 people, airlines and airports around 1,50,000 and tour operators around 45,000. The employment numbers in eco-tourism and medical tourism are being estimated at 85,000, says a CII study. Apart from this, there will be around 55,000 new jobs in the unorganized sector comprising of tour guides, taxi drivers, interpreters, volunteers etc. This will lead to increase income levels for government agencies and individual traders. Attracting a massive number of foreign tourists from various countries like Australia, UK, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, New Zealand, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka, the Kumbh is a festival of the world. "The 'mela' is expected to generate a revenue of Rs1,200 billion for Uttar Pradesh, the state where it is being held, while neighbouring states like Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh will also benefit from the enhanced revenue generation with a large number of national and foreign tourists expected to explore other destinations. The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated a hefty amount of Rs 4,200 crore for the Kumbh Mela held in Allahabad, which has become the costliest pilgrimage till date. "The UP government has allocated Rs 4,200 crore for 2019 Kumbh Mela. The previous state government had spent around Rs 1,300 crore for the Maha Kumbh, which was held in 2013," state Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal told PTI. The area of Kumbh Mela has also been doubled to 3,200 hectares as compared to 1,600 hectares in the previous melas. The Kumbh is a unique and massive gathering of both rural and urban population and also has a huge dispersal factor as people travel long distances across the country. In order to house this multitude, authorities have erected a mini-city of more than 4,000 tents. The city is being lit by installing over 40,000 LED lights, say local authorities. Overhauling of key infrastructure is being done, including upgrading nine railways stations and construction of a new airport terminal in Allahabad. The setting up of this new city in the huge Mela area involves 250-kilometre roads and 22 pontoon bridges, which will make it the largest temporary city in the world. The Kumbh, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage, is thus expected to generate direct and indirect business activities, the fruits of which would hopefully benefit the economy not only of Uttar Pradesh but that of India as a whole, the CII document says. The Kumbh at Sangam city Prayagraj, as Allahabad is now known, dates back to a hoary past, whose first mention of was made some 2,000 years ago by the Chinese traveller Hsuan Tsang who visited India during the reign on King Harshvardhana. Based on a complex astrological calculation, the alignment of the stars determines the time and place of the 'Kumbh' in one of the following four river-sites: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nasik, and Ujjain. It is a celebration of an ancient tradition, a dip in the holy waters where the mythical Saraswati, Ganga and Yamuna meet. These riverside festivals and the city that springs up around them are attended by millions, making the 'Kumbh Mela' the largest religious gathering, perhaps the oldest, and the largest temporary city in the world. Learned seers believe that a dip in the waters would endow an individual with religious merit. Masses of devotees gather on the riverbank to attain spiritual enlightenment, some in the belief that doing so will lead them worldly success, others simply to purify their souls. The Kumbh Mela gets its worldwide reputation as a mega-event not only because of the sheer number of people who attend the fair but also for a widespread display of cultural traits of a nation, which is bound by ties of faith and traditions. Around 12 crore people are expected to visit the Kumbh between now and Maha Shivratri on March 4, when the Mela will come to a close on Maha Shivratri day. The first "Shahi Snan' (royal bath) of Kumbh on January 15 drew a record crowd of 2.25 devotees, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been meticulously supervising minute details personally to make the event "Divya Kumbh, Bhavya Kumbh".

Kumbh will generate Rs 1.2 lakh crore in revenue: CII

Darshar Maha Kumbh or Pitcher Festival was organised in India&#39;s northern Kashmir state after a gap of 75 years on Tuesday. 
 
The festival was held on the confluence of sacred Sindhu and Vitasta rivers in Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Taking a dip at the junction of rivers at Shadipora is considered to be auspicious as per the Hindu mythology. 
 
Over 20,000 Kashmir Pandits thronged to the spot at Shadipora Sangam to take holy dip. 
 
&quot;This fair has come after a gap of 75 years and our ancestors, my grandfather use to say, that it last happened during their time. Today, I got to experience this. I am feeling blessed that I celebrated this festival with my son and my family,&quot; a Kashmiri Pandit, Rajkumar, said. 
 
The place holds same significance for Kashmiri Hindus as Haridwar, considered to be one of the holiest cities of religious importance to the community. 
 
At Shadipora Sangam lies an ancient Chinar tree (Platanus orientalis) that is considered mystical and sacred by Kashmiri Pandits. 
 
&quot;I am happy that I&#39;m one among the fortunate ones, who are participating in this Kumbh mela. People have come here to attend the programme. It is a very big deal for Kashmiri Pandits as they are bathing in Maha Kumbh,&quot; said All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee, spokesperson, King Bharti. 
 
Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which devotees gather to bathe in a sacred river. 
 
(Reuters)

Hundreds of Kashmiri pandits gathered at the confluence

Darshar Maha Kumbh or Pitcher Festival was organised in India's northern Kashmir state after a gap of 75 years on Tuesday. The festival was held on the confluence of sacred Sindhu and Vitasta rivers in Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Taking a dip at the junction of rivers at Shadipora is considered to be auspicious as per the Hindu mythology. Over 20,000 Kashmir Pandits thronged to the spot at Shadipora Sangam to take holy dip. "This fair has come after a gap of 75 years and our ancestors, my grandfather use to say, that it last happened during their time. Today, I got to experience this. I am feeling blessed that I celebrated this festival with my son and my family," a Kashmiri Pandit, Rajkumar, said. The place holds same significance for Kashmiri Hindus as Haridwar, considered to be one of the holiest cities of religious importance to the community. At Shadipora Sangam lies an ancient Chinar tree (Platanus orientalis) that is considered mystical and sacred by Kashmiri Pandits. "I am happy that I'm one among the fortunate ones, who are participating in this Kumbh mela. People have come here to attend the programme. It is a very big deal for Kashmiri Pandits as they are bathing in Maha Kumbh," said All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee, spokesperson, King Bharti. Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which devotees gather to bathe in a sacred river. (Reuters)

'Dashar Maha Kumb' celebrated in Kashmir after 75 years

holy-dip

Holy Dip, News on Holy Dip, stories on Holy Dip, articles on Holy Dip, Holy Dip stories at Wion, Holy Dip news, Holy Dip latest news