10 crore pilgrims expected for Mauni Amavasya 'Amrit Snan' at Maha Kumbh

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh govt on Friday said it is anticipating 10 crore devotees for the Mauni Amavasya 'Amrit Snan' on January 29 at the Maha Kumbh, for which comprehensive measures are being implemented to efficiently manage traffic and crowds.

Also read: Maha Kumbh stories

The sacred bathing ritual holds paramount importance during Kumbh. Whilst daily dips in the holy waters from Makar Sankranti onwards are considered sacred, certain specific dates, termed 'Amrit Snan' (previously known as Shahi Snan), hold special significance.

January 29's Mauni Amavasya marks the third auspicious bathing date at the current fair. The initial two occurred on January 13 (Paush Purnima) and January 14 (Makar Sankranti), with three additional dates scheduled for February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivratri).

The government announced on Friday that officials must ensure visitors depart from their arrival sectors or zones, strictly prohibiting movement towards Sangam Nose or other areas.

All senior administrative officials, including additional district magistrates, police superintendents, circle officers, and sector magistrates, have been tasked with overseeing arrangements in their respective areas to maintain order.

"As the most important festival of Maha Kumbh, Mauni Amavasya is the focal point of the event's arrangements. This year, with the Yogi Adityanath govt's efforts to make Maha Kumbh more grand and divine, a record number of devotees are expected to gather in Prayagraj," it said.

"To prioritise the convenience of devotees, instructions have been issued to minimise movement between zones, particularly at Sangam Nose, from January 27 to 29," the govt said.

"A 12-kilometre-long ghat has been constructed for easy access and bathing. Devotees are being encouraged to bathe at the ghat closest to their entry point and return from there without moving to other zones.

Evacuation teams will be deployed to prevent overcrowding at the ghats, with the safe evacuation of devotees being a top priority for the administration," it added.

For effective crowd management, essential resources including ropes, loud hailers, whistles, flying squads, and watchtower teams will ensure complete control of barriers and barricades.

The administration will focus on central forces' presence and coordination. Additional arrangements include temporary holding areas, parking facilities, and overnight accommodation at institutions if required.

The administration confirmed strengthening of ghat infrastructure to handle large crowds. Facilities include river barricading, water police, watchtowers, enhanced lighting, clear signage, toilets, changing rooms, and thorough cleanliness measures.

The Maha Kumbh, occurring after 12 years at Triveni Sangam and recognised as the world's largest spiritual gathering and significant Hindu pilgrimage, commenced on January 13 and continues until February 26.