First parva snan (sacred bath) marks the beginning of Maha Kumha Mela at Prayagraj on 13th January

• World’s biggest religious event begins

• Unprecedented enthusiasm among the Saints and devotees

• 40 crore devotees to arrive from across the world within 1.5 months

Prayagraj – The Maha Kumbha Mela will begin from January 13th at the holy sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers in the holy city of Prayagraj. The first bath of the Maha Kumbha Mela will be held on January 13th, while the first Amrit Snan will be held on January 14th. In this Maha Kumbha Mela, which will continue till February 26th, numerous Saints and Seers from all 13 Akhadas of India, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, Mahamandaleshwar, Mahants etc. will participate. The Peshwai or Nagar Pravesh of all 13 Akhadas has taken place. Since this year’s Maha Kumbha Mela is the biggest festival in the world, the Police and administration have provided a large several facilities to the devotees.

Prayagraj city beautified

The entire Prayagraj city is decorated for the Maha Kumbha Mela. Large welcome arches have been erected at all the entrances of the city as well as the Kumbh Kshetra. Railway stations, bus stands etc. have also been decorated. Directional arches have been installed everywhere. The paintings depicting the ancient religious and cultural traditions of Hindus on all the walls of the city have become the main attraction of this year’s Maha Kumbha Mela. Attractive electric lighting has been done on the highways as well as on all the electric poles in the city. Auspicious symbols like conch, chakra, swastik etc. have been installed on each pole.

Preparations for the grand and Divine Maha Kumbha Mela

1. The Mela is spread over an area of ​​20 km on the Sangam bank

2. Creation of 25 sectors, including an estimated 1.5 lakh camps

3. Creation of 15 ghats in an area of ​​12 km on the Sangam bank for bathing

4. Creation of Dashvashwamedh Ghat, Saraswati Ghat, Mahewaghat along with 7 paved ghats (3 on the Ganga river and 4 on the Yamuna river) for the Amrit snan (Shahi or royal bath)

5. Construction of 30 pontoon bridges to cross the Ganga-Yamuna river

6. Construction of 80 mobile towers for all service providers

7. Nearly 67,000 street lights throughout the Kumbha Mela

8. Parking arrangements for 5 lakh vehicles

9. Construction of 50 fire stations

10. Construction of more than 1.5 lakh toilets

11. Appointment of 10,000 additional sanitation workers

Dates of Amrit and Parva Snan

From this year’s Kumbha Mela, ‘Shahi Snan’ will be called ‘Amrit Snan’

The word ‘Shahi Snan’ was used since the Mughal era. Stating that it was a symbol of slavery, the Akhada Parishad decided a few months ago to call ‘Shahi Snan’ as ‘Amrit Snan’ from this year’s Kumbha Mela. This started from this year’s Maha Kumbha Mela in Prayagraj.

Heavy security arrangements by the Police

• 7-layered security arrangement, 60,000 Police deployed

• 13 temporary Police stations, 23 Police posts created

• Paramilitary forces, armed Police forces, bomb disposal squad and other teams deployed

Prayagraj – Considering the possibility of 40 crore devotees coming for this year’s Maha Kumbha Mela, the Uttar Pradesh Police have also geared up for the security of the entire Kumbha Parva. The Police have put in place a 7-layered security arrangement for the Maha Kumbha Mela and have deployed a force of 60,000 Police. 13 temporary Police stations, 23 Police posts, as well as 8 zones and 18 sectors have been created in the city and rural areas. Along with this, paramilitary forces, armed Police forces, bomb disposal squads, National Disaster Response Force etc. have also been deployed. There will be special Police security arrangements for devotees coming to the Kumbha Mela from bus stations, railway stations, airports. International and inter-State passengers will also be checked for security reasons. Along with this, AI based CCTV cameras, drones and anti-drone systems etc. will also be used. The Police will also keep an eye on those using social media.

Forces deployed

There will be 8 zones (divisions), 18 sectors, 60,000 Police personnel, 13 temporary Police stations, 44 permanent Police stations, 23 temporary Police posts, 21 units of the Central Armed Police Forces, 2 reserve units, 5 units of the Provincial Armed Forces, 4 units of the National Disaster Response Force, 12 units of the AS Check and 4 units of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad.