Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in a virtual prayer session on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. What was the message embedded in his speech on the teachings of Lord Buddha? WION's Palki Sharma decodes India's message to the world.

Gravitas: PM Modi's Buddhist diplomacy

Braving intense chill, around 35 lakh devotees took a dip in the River Ganga here on Monday on the occasion of Paush Purnima - the second auspicious bathing day of the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ngo-sets-up-100-bed-hospital-at-kumbh-mela-site-191228&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjH1dzQ2P7fAhUMi3AKHfybAbMQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZXnDxh8tqxqJEA29ubyOS">Kumbh Mela</a>.

From Sunday night itself, the Sangam area was buzzing with activity as devotees started arriving even as security forces maintained a close watch on the movement of pilgrims and visitors at the mela venue.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures-colours-of-kumbh-mela-190397">In Pictures: Colours of Kumbh Mela</a>

Even before sunrise, devotees were seen coming out from the ghats after taking the dip.&nbsp;

Around 35 lakh devotees have taken a dip so far on the occasion of Paush Purnima. Drone cameras are being used to keep a watch and maintain vigil over the mela area. Mela adhikaari Vijay Anand told PTI here.

Officials repeatedly made announcements requesting devotees not to venture into deep waters and also keep an eye over suspicious elements in their vicinity and report it to the police.

The full moon was at its splendid best over Sangam before the break of dawn and devotional songs greeted visitors in the Sangam area.

Fog too was seen before sunrise at various places in the Sangam area.&nbsp;

However, it failed to dampen the mood of devotees, who turned up in large numbers for the Paush Purnima bath.

As the day progressed, the number of devotees coming to take the holy dip increased.

The Purnima or full moon day will also mark the beginning of Kalpwas (the period of austerity) at Kumbh Mela.

Elaborating on the significance of Paush Purnima, Swami Adhokshanand said, Paush Purnima is a significant day for Hindus which falls on the full moon day of Paush in the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees from different parts of the country assemble at Sangam to take a holy dip. Even Lord Krishna had said that in the Hindu calendar, he represents the month of Paush, he said.

Satish Shukla, who had come from Kanpur for the holy dip, said, "Various facilities at the mela venue have improved significantly. River Ganga looks a lot cleaner now as compared to earlier times."

DS Nikam, who had come from Aurangabad with his family for the holy dip, praised the cleanliness at the mela area.

I have been camping here since January 15. Today's bathing experience was really nice and the arrangements were good," he said.

Yesterday, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had greeted people on the eve of Paush Purnima.

In a statement issued in Lucknow, Adityanath said, Paush Purnima, which is symbolized by 'Jap', 'Tap' and 'Daan', is one of the most ancient parv (festivals) of India.?

Unlike the Shahi Snaans, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amawasya and Basant Panchami, Paush Purnima is a 'Parv Snaan' (a bathing ritual), and hence the pomp of Akharas leading the bathing procession in the morning was missing, Chairman of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad Mahant Narendra Giri said.&nbsp;

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti visited the Sangam on Monday.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was also in Sangam City to extend an invitation for the Kumbh Mela, which will be held in Haridwar later, and met office bearers of various Akharas, Giri said.

Braving intense chill, around 35 lakh devotees took a dip in the River Ganga here on Monday on the occasion of Paush Purnima - the second auspicious bathing day of the Kumbh Mela.

Braving intense chill, around 35 lakh devotees took a dip in the River Ganga here on Monday on the occasion of Paush Purnima - the second auspicious bathing day of the Kumbh Mela. From Sunday night itself, the Sangam area was buzzing with activity as devotees started arriving even as security forces maintained a close watch on the movement of pilgrims and visitors at the mela venue. In Pictures: Colours of Kumbh Mela Even before sunrise, devotees were seen coming out from the ghats after taking the dip. Around 35 lakh devotees have taken a dip so far on the occasion of Paush Purnima. Drone cameras are being used to keep a watch and maintain vigil over the mela area. Mela adhikaari Vijay Anand told PTI here. Officials repeatedly made announcements requesting devotees not to venture into deep waters and also keep an eye over suspicious elements in their vicinity and report it to the police. The full moon was at its splendid best over Sangam before the break of dawn and devotional songs greeted visitors in the Sangam area. Fog too was seen before sunrise at various places in the Sangam area. However, it failed to dampen the mood of devotees, who turned up in large numbers for the Paush Purnima bath. As the day progressed, the number of devotees coming to take the holy dip increased. The Purnima or full moon day will also mark the beginning of Kalpwas (the period of austerity) at Kumbh Mela. Elaborating on the significance of Paush Purnima, Swami Adhokshanand said, Paush Purnima is a significant day for Hindus which falls on the full moon day of Paush in the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees from different parts of the country assemble at Sangam to take a holy dip. Even Lord Krishna had said that in the Hindu calendar, he represents the month of Paush, he said. Satish Shukla, who had come from Kanpur for the holy dip, said, "Various facilities at the mela venue have improved significantly. River Ganga looks a lot cleaner now as compared to earlier times." DS Nikam, who had come from Aurangabad with his family for the holy dip, praised the cleanliness at the mela area. I have been camping here since January 15. Today's bathing experience was really nice and the arrangements were good," he said. Yesterday, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had greeted people on the eve of Paush Purnima. In a statement issued in Lucknow, Adityanath said, Paush Purnima, which is symbolized by 'Jap', 'Tap' and 'Daan', is one of the most ancient parv (festivals) of India.? Unlike the Shahi Snaans, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amawasya and Basant Panchami, Paush Purnima is a 'Parv Snaan' (a bathing ritual), and hence the pomp of Akharas leading the bathing procession in the morning was missing, Chairman of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad Mahant Narendra Giri said. Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti visited the Sangam on Monday. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was also in Sangam City to extend an invitation for the Kumbh Mela, which will be held in Haridwar later, and met office bearers of various Akharas, Giri said.

Kumbh Mela 2019: 35 lakh devotees take dip in Ganga on Paush Purnima

I was born in a place which is near to Ayodhya and in a year which is remembered as the demolition of Babari. So it was quite normal for me to know about &#39;Ram&#39; and the festival of lights, Diwali but had a little less idea about the festival of colours.

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Holi is rightly said to be the festival of colours. (Zee News Network)
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I was not much aware of the fact that why we celebrate Holi. While writing essays in primary schools, my first line used to be, &quot;Holi is the festival of colours and sharing the love&quot; and yes it is indeed.

Holi is not a one-day festival, it is celebrated for continuous three days. The festival starts with Holi Purnima, people begin the celebration when the eldest male member sprinkles colour on the members of his family.

The then second day is known as &#39;Puno&#39; or &#39;Holika Dahan&#39; on this day Holika&rsquo;s images are burnt to celebrate the victory of good over evil. The third and last day is the main day when people play with coloured powder &#39;abeer&#39; or &#39;gulal&#39; and water is poured on each other. Apart from colours and love, Holi is celebrated as a day of thanksgiving day for the good spring harvest.

Holika Dahan is celebrated for the victory of good over evil, people ignite a bonfire to commemorate the death of a witch - Holika.&nbsp;

As per an ancient story, a brutal king Hiranyakashyap wanted to be revered as God himself and establish his own supremacy everywhere but his own son Prahalad refused to worship his father and remained a true devotee of Lord Vishnu.

He thought to kill Prahalad but failed every time. Then he called his sister Holika. She planned to kill him as she was blessed with a drape that protected her from burning into the fire. When she sat with Prahlad in a huge bowl with the intention to kill him then suddenly heavy winds started to flow and she herself was burnt in the fire.

If the festival is marked as a celebration of good over evil then how colours became part of it?

The reason behind the use of colours is related to the love story of Krishna and Radha. Krishna being envious of Radha&rsquo;s fair complexion complained to his mother Yashoda. His mother told him that he could colour Radha&rsquo;s face with whatever colour &#39;abeer or gulal&#39; to remove the differences and the legacy continued since then.

Social gatherings such as parties with food are organised at several places. Spending time with friends, family and other loved ones are also a part of this festival. Moreover, giving out sweets and delicacies is another important part of the festival&rsquo;s celebrations.

The most popular dish of this festival is Gujjia. It is a sweet dumpling made with maida flour wheat flour and stuffed with khoya and dry fruits.

&nbsp;

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Festival of Holi is incomplete without Kesar Milk and Gujjiya (Indian sweet dumplings). (Others)
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&nbsp;

It is easy to see why this festival is known too as the festival of spreading joy. Remember the most iconic Holi song from a Bollywood movie Sholay:

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं...गीले शिकवे भूल के दोस्तों दुश्मन भी गले मिल जाते हैं

(On the day of Holi, we are happy, as the colours blend with each other.&nbsp;Friends let&#39;s keep aside our resentment, even enemies hug each other.)

My grandmom told me about this festival, the ancients stories and her own sagas of celebration, and while growing up I myself did some research by reading about this colourful and joyous festival but nowhere to be found that how the Bhang culture got its alliance with Holi.

Associated with Lord Shiva, bhang has now become synonymous with Holi. It is an excuse to get intoxicated and roam the streets creating mischief. Bhang drinks have now become an official Holi drink, but why?

With continuous modernisation, bhang is being replaced by alcohol. Many of us have noticed few bands of drunken hooligans roaming the streets and creating nuisances. The day after Holi comes with thousands of accidental cases, eve-teasing, molestation, robbing, looting and also some serious crimes of rapes and murders, which are happened under the influence of alcohol.&nbsp;

&quot;Bura Na Mano Holi hai&quot; will not pacify the ill effects that arrive with the &#39;other&#39; facet of Holi celebrations.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Let's revive the traditional essence of Holi by spreading colours and love, and staying away from the influence of Bhang and alcohol.

I was born in a place which is near to Ayodhya and in a year which is remembered as the demolition of Babari. So it was quite normal for me to know about 'Ram' and the festival of lights, Diwali but had a little less idea about the festival of colours. Holi is rightly said to be the festival of colours. (Zee News Network) × I was not much aware of the fact that why we celebrate Holi. While writing essays in primary schools, my first line used to be, "Holi is the festival of colours and sharing the love" and yes it is indeed. Holi is not a one-day festival, it is celebrated for continuous three days. The festival starts with Holi Purnima, people begin the celebration when the eldest male member sprinkles colour on the members of his family. The then second day is known as 'Puno' or 'Holika Dahan' on this day Holika’s images are burnt to celebrate the victory of good over evil. The third and last day is the main day when people play with coloured powder 'abeer' or 'gulal' and water is poured on each other. Apart from colours and love, Holi is celebrated as a day of thanksgiving day for the good spring harvest. Holika Dahan is celebrated for the victory of good over evil, people ignite a bonfire to commemorate the death of a witch - Holika. As per an ancient story, a brutal king Hiranyakashyap wanted to be revered as God himself and establish his own supremacy everywhere but his own son Prahalad refused to worship his father and remained a true devotee of Lord Vishnu. He thought to kill Prahalad but failed every time. Then he called his sister Holika. She planned to kill him as she was blessed with a drape that protected her from burning into the fire. When she sat with Prahlad in a huge bowl with the intention to kill him then suddenly heavy winds started to flow and she herself was burnt in the fire. If the festival is marked as a celebration of good over evil then how colours became part of it? The reason behind the use of colours is related to the love story of Krishna and Radha. Krishna being envious of Radha’s fair complexion complained to his mother Yashoda. His mother told him that he could colour Radha’s face with whatever colour 'abeer or gulal' to remove the differences and the legacy continued since then. Social gatherings such as parties with food are organised at several places. Spending time with friends, family and other loved ones are also a part of this festival. Moreover, giving out sweets and delicacies is another important part of the festival’s celebrations. The most popular dish of this festival is Gujjia. It is a sweet dumpling made with maida flour wheat flour and stuffed with khoya and dry fruits. Festival of Holi is incomplete without Kesar Milk and Gujjiya (Indian sweet dumplings). (Others) × It is easy to see why this festival is known too as the festival of spreading joy. Remember the most iconic Holi song from a Bollywood movie Sholay: होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं...गीले शिकवे भूल के दोस्तों दुश्मन भी गले मिल जाते हैं (On the day of Holi, we are happy, as the colours blend with each other. Friends let's keep aside our resentment, even enemies hug each other.) My grandmom told me about this festival, the ancients stories and her own sagas of celebration, and while growing up I myself did some research by reading about this colourful and joyous festival but nowhere to be found that how the Bhang culture got its alliance with Holi. Associated with Lord Shiva, bhang has now become synonymous with Holi. It is an excuse to get intoxicated and roam the streets creating mischief. Bhang drinks have now become an official Holi drink, but why? With continuous modernisation, bhang is being replaced by alcohol. Many of us have noticed few bands of drunken hooligans roaming the streets and creating nuisances. The day after Holi comes with thousands of accidental cases, eve-teasing, molestation, robbing, looting and also some serious crimes of rapes and murders, which are happened under the influence of alcohol. "Bura Na Mano Holi hai" will not pacify the ill effects that arrive with the 'other' facet of Holi celebrations. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Dear all, do not celebrate the 'other' Holi

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Gravitas: PM Modi's Buddhist diplomacy

Kumbh Mela 2019: 35 lakh devotees take dip in Ganga on Paush Purnima

Opinion: Dear all, do not celebrate the 'other' Holi