Thousands of devotees took a holy dip here at the Sangam Amid tight security, the 55-day long Kumbh Mela commenced with the Shahi Snan of Akharas at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh today. ''Chalo Kumbh Chale'' is the slogan and also the mantra for peace maybe for thousands of visitors who arrived in the city on Monday for the Kumbh mela, the largest congregation in the world, and walked for miles as they made their way to the Sangam for a ritual dip in the waters. The streets of Prayagraj have become a canvas for artists as many murals with various themes are being painted. An area of 20 lakh sq.ft area, has been designated for the street art projects under an initiative by Kumbh Mela Authority called ''Paint my city.'' The Kumbh Mela is the largest human congregation in the world, with over 130 million pilgrims expected to participate in the festival with the belief that taking a dip in the holy water of Ganges River will pave the way for their salvation and would rid them of their sins. Here are the highlights of the Kumbh Mela 2019: Jan 15, 2019 17:53 (IST) According to the Kumbh Mela administration, over 2 crore people took the holy bath during Makar Sankranti According to the Kumbh Mela administration, over 2 crore people took the holy bath during Makar Sankranti Jan 15, 2019 17:33 (IST) Nearly 30,000 police have been deployed to oversee crowds for the huge undertaking, and prevent stampedes that have marred previous gatherings. Patrol drones buzzed over a 45-square kilometre encampment set aside specially for pilgrims. (news agency AFP) Jan 15, 2019 16:51 (IST) Union minister Smriti Irani took a holy dip in the river Ganges as Kumbh Mela began today with a Shahi Snan at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh Jan 15, 2019 16:20 (IST) For the first time at the Kumbh Mela, a transgender ashram known as the Kinnar Akhara and led by rights activist Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from Mumbai, joined the first bathing day, news agency Reuters reported. Jan 15, 2019 14:37 (IST) UP religious affairs minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary has claimed that it's perhaps for the first time since Independence that proper arrangements (of milk, ghee, food, blankets and firewood) have been made for the seers, ashrams and akharas. "Nearly 350 years ago, the name of Prayagraj -- considered a prominent centre of Hindu culture and Sanatan Dharma -- was changed to Allahabad. However, last year, under the leadership of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it was decided that Allahabad should be renamed as Prayagraj, as mentioned in ancient Indian texts including the Vedas." "And it is after 350 long years that the world''s biggest spiritual congregation is being held in Prayagraj in the form of Kumbh Mela," he said. Jan 15, 2019 12:43 (IST) Jan 15, 2019 12:20 (IST) Naga Sadhus taking holy dip at Kumbh Naga Sadhus taking holy dip at Kumbh Jan 15, 2019 11:36 (IST) Order of the Holy Dip The order in which the holy dip is performed by various akharas is pre-determined. It starts with Mahanirvani along with the Atal akhara, the Niranjani along with the Ananada Akhara, and the Juna along with the Avahana and Agni akharas. They are followed by Nirvani akhara, Digambara akhara, Nirmohi akhara, Bada Udasin akhara, Naya Udasin akhara and lastly by the lone Sikh akhara called Nirmal akhara. Jan 15, 2019 11:18 (IST) Sadhus of 13 akharas (seven Shaiva, three Vaishnava, two Udasina, and one Sikh) who have traditionally participated in the Kumbh Mela, the largest congregation in the world, were the first to take the holy bath known as ''Shahi Snan''. Jan 15, 2019 10:50 (IST) Over three million devotees from across India and abroad, braved the icy cold water to take a holy dip in the confluence of river Ganga at the annual Gangasagar Fair in West Bengal's Sagar Island on Makar Sankranti. "Almost 31 lakh people bathed at Sagar since morning, far surpassing the attendance last year. Lakhs took the holy dip on Friday evening as well. More pilgrims have come to Sagar this year as the weather is better. We are expecting the number to go up as the day progresses," Panchayat and Public Health Engineering Minister Subrata Mukherjee said. Jan 15, 2019 10:34 (IST) Naga Sadhus At Kumbh Mela Jan 15, 2019 10:32 (IST) Shahi Snan At Kumbh Mela #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 Jan 15, 2019 09:59 (IST) Saints and Seers across the Mela Jan 15, 2019 09:44 (IST) Tight-security maintained across the city. "We have started a checking campaign in view of the Kumbh Mela. Government Railway Police (GRP), Civil Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF) among others conducted the checking," Arvind Kumar, Station Officer- Government Railway Police, earlier said.<doc-sep>Devotees take dip at Sangam in Prayagraj on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: ANI Prayagraj: Kumbh is one of the most important pilgrimages for Hindus in India and across the world. The Kumbh Mela is held every six years, while the Maha Kumbh takes place every 12 years. The holy dip for Kumbh Mela 2019 began at midnight today with the Shahi Snan on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. As a part of the Shahi Snan, sadhus belonging to 13 akhadas take a dip in the holy rivers along the banks of River Ganga where the Kumbh Mela takes place. The order in which the akhadas perform the holy ritual by taking a dip in the river — the Ganges in case of the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela — is predetermined and according to the norms, no one is allowed to enter the holy river before the akhadas finish their Shahi Snans. Prayagraj is all decked up for the ongoing Kumbh Mela. From street art to top-of-the-line tents to over 1.22 lakh toilets, the Uttar Pradesh government has not left any stone unturned in order to make the religious event a big success. ​ Take a look at the scenes of Day 1 of Kumbh Mela 2019 straight from Prayagraj: Sadhus wait for their turn for 'shahi snan' on Tuesday. (ANI) Devotees congregate at dawn at Sangam. (ANI) Sunrise at Sangam on Day 1 of Kumbh Mela 2019. (ANI) Women, men and children take turns for the holy dip. (ANI) Security beefed up at Prayagraj ahead of the Kumbh Mela. (ANI) Kumbh, regarded as the world's largest religious gatherings, where crores of people come to take a dip at the holy confluence of Ganga and Yamuna to 'wash off their sins', was included in the list of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO in 2017. Times Network - India's Leading Broadcasting Network, uniquely offering English Entertainment, best in class News channels & Bollywood Masala, available at a Value pack (7 channels) of Rs 13/- per month. Please contact your cable/DTH service provider now and ensure that your TV viewing experience is complete. To know more click here.<doc-sep>
The Kumbh mela commenced in Prayagraj on Tuesday with the shahi snan or the holy dip undertaken by religious leaders, disciples and members of the 13 akharas (religious orders), PTI reported. About 12 crore people are expected to visit the Kumbh mela to offer prayers and take a holy dip at the Sangam or the confluence of the three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The pilgrimage lasts 50 days and will conclude on March 4. The confluence of the three rivers is considered holy by Hindus. It was traditionally called the Ardh Kumbh as it takes every six years, but the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Adityanath renamed it Kumbh. The Kumbh mela, which is organised every 12 years, will now be called Maha Kumbh. Heavy security arrangements have been put in place with police and paramilitary forces deployed across the city, reported Hindustan Times. Senior Superintendent of Police (Kumbh) KP Singh said over 20,000 police, paramilitary and other personnel have been deployed at the site of the Kumbh Mela. Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday launched a special weather service for pilgrims visiting the Kumbh Mela which will provide information on weather condition. Devotees gathered at the Sangam or the confluence of three rivers in Prayagraj on Tuesday to take a holy dip during the Kumbh mela. Credit: IANS Waves of faithfuls descend on #Prayagraj to participate in first #ShahiSnan of #PrayagrajKumbh2019 Photo Courtesy: Chote Lal pic.twitter.com/d9Zh4N6u0j — PIB India (@PIB_India) January 15, 2019 Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, chief of the Kinnar Akhara, sings with her followers during on Monday. Credit: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters The makeshift bridge leading to the site of the Kumbh mela in Prayagraj. Credit: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters Around 12 crore people are expected to visit the Kumbh mela between now and March 4 when it concludes. Credit: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters A Hindu pilgrim at the site of the Kumbh mela on Sunday. Credit: Sanjay Kanojia/AFP President Ram Nath Kovind conveyed his greeting to pilgrims and from across the world. “The Kumbh is an important part of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage,” he tweeted on Tuesday. He also lauded the efforts of the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government for their efforts to organise the mela. 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