Highlights: At ₹4,200 crore, this year’s Kumbh Mela costliest ever
The much-publicised 49-day Kumbh Mela begins with its first official bathing of Makar Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Tuesday, with 1.25 crore devotees expected to take a dip.Heavy security arrangements are in place with police and paramilitary forces deployed at strategic places in Kumbh Mela area and other places in the city. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kumbh KP Singh said over 20,000 police, paramilitary and other personnel have been deployed in the Kumbh Mela area for security of pilgrims.Mela officials said around 35 lakh devotees took the holy dip on Monday. Bathing would take place at 35 bathing ghats roughly stretched over an area of 5.5 km in the mela area.Bathing would take place at 35 bathing ghats roughly stretched over an area of 5.5 km in the mela area.Here are the highlights:
7:05 pm IST
Over 2 crore take holy dip as Kumbh Mela opens
In one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, more than two crore pilgrims and holy men took a dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers and the mythical Saraswati, as the Kumbh Mela opened on Tuesday, officials said here. The figures were contested by many.
“We are glad to announce that the first ‘Shahi Snan’ (royal bath) began and concluded at the scheduled time. The participation of all the 13 akharas remained orderly and was successful. Approximately two crore devotees took the holy bath,” Dilip Kumar Tripurayan, ADM Kumbh, told reporters.
6:50 pm IST
At ₹4,200 crore, this year’s Kumbh Mela costliest ever
Uttar Pradesh government has allocated ₹4,200 crore for the Kumbh Mela being held in the ‘sangam’ city of Allahabad, which is over thrice the budget of the Maha Kumbh in 2013, making the mega pilgrimage perhaps the costliest ever.
“The UP government has allocated ₹4,200 crore for 2019 Kumbh Mela. The previous state government had spent around ₹1,300 crore for the Maha Kumbh, which was held in 2013,” state Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal said.
5:30 pm IST
Millions of Indians, foreigners take Shahi Snan on day 1
4:25 pm IST
Over 16 lakh take holy dip at Kumbh
More than 16 lakh devotees took a holy dip here at the Sangam, the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers and the mythical Saraswati, on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti marking the onset of the Kumbh Mela.
1:00 pm IST
Foreign tourists take part in Kumbh festivities
12 pm IST
Crowds head to the Ganga for a holy dip
11.40 am IST
Naga sadhus and seers move towards Ganga
11.10 am IST
Devotees head for dip in Ganga during Kumbh
10.30 am IST
Watch: Devotees head for Shahi Snan
9 am IST
Minister Smriti Irani takes a dip in Ganga at Kumbh mela
Union minister Smriti Irani took a dip in the Ganges at the Kumbh mela earlier in the day. She tweeted a pictures of the same.
#kumbh2019 #trivenisangam हर हर गंगे 🙏 pic.twitter.com/MqQXDL5SN3
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 15, 2019
8.30 am IST
Naga Sadhus gather at Kumbh mela
Naga Sadhus gather at Kumbh Mela.
8.10 am IST
President Ramnath Kovind greets people on Kumbh
As the Kumbh Mela begins, greetings to fellow citizens and to pilgrims from across the world. The Kumbh is an important part of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Appreciate efforts of the Union and Uttar Pradesh govts in this logistically massive exercise, he said.
As the Kumbh Mela begins, greetings to fellow citizens and to pilgrims from across the world. The Kumbh is an important part of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Appreciate efforts of the Union and Uttar Pradesh govts in this logistically massive exercise #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 15, 2019
8 am IST
Hindu seers and saints head towards Sangam Ghat
Hindu seers and saints head towards Sangam Ghat for a holy dip in river Ganga on the occasion of first ‘Shahi Snan’ at Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj.
#WATCH Hindu seers and saints head towards Sangam Ghat for a holy dip in river Ganga on the occasion of first ‘Shahi Snan’ at #KumbhMela2019 in Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/AdeDOAItHM
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 15, 2019
7.30 am IST
Devotees take bath in Ganga in Varanasi
Devotees take holy dip in river Ganga on Makar Sankranti.
7.10 am IST
Devotees take holy dip in Ganga
Devotees take a holy dip in river Ganga at Sangam Ghat on the occasion of first ‘Shahi Snan’
Prayagraj : Devotees take a holy dip in river Ganga at Sangam Ghat on the occasion of first ‘Shahi Snan’ at #KumbhMela2019 pic.twitter.com/icb5E3XkvU
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 15, 2019
