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Braving intense chill, around 35 lakh devotees took a dip in the River Ganga on the occasion of Paush Purnima – the second auspicious bathing day of the Kumbh Mela.
From Sunday night itself, according news agency PTI, 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.
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 pointed out.
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.
