Guwahati: Kumbh Mela, the world's largest event which takes
place in a cycle of 12 years in India has started on Thursday (January 14) with Makar Sankranti in Haridwar. The Mela has
been organized on the bank of river Ganga in Haridwar.
According to the Information Department of the Uttarakhand government over 7 lakh devotees took a holy dip in the bank of river Ganga.
The government said that all the COVID-19 health
protocols were followed during the first day and for flouting the guidelines over
947 people were fined.
For the safety of devotees during the Kumbh Mela, soldiers of Uttarakhand's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Central Paramilitary Force (CPF) Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC), and 5 teams of Bomb Disposal Squad has been placed in Haridwar, the state government said.
Moreover, the concerned authorities have also installed
over 1,000 CCTV cameras to keep a strict vigil on the entire Mela.
The Kumbh Mela is organized in four river-bank
pilgrimage sites in India. The event rotates between four locations- Prayag in
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra's Nashik, Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, and in Haridwar
in Uttarakhand. The Mela is organized beside holy rivers so that the devotees can dip into the water and seek
atonement or penance for their sins.
Kumbh Mela is one of the most auspicious and biggest rituals of Hindus.
Etymologically, 'Kumbh' means a 'pot' or a 'pitcher' while 'Mela' means a 'fair'.Now as per Hindu mythology, this pot is actually the container of the 'amrit', or the nectar of immortality.
According to the scriptures, if a person takes bath in
the holy water of Ganga during the Kumbh Mela, they get 'Moks' salvation.
The Mela will continue till April 27, 2021. Due to the novel global Pandemic instead of three-and-a-half months this year the Mela will be held for 48 days.
Also Read: President Ram Nath Kovind Donates Rs 5 Lakh for Construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
Also Watch: Assam Livestock and Poultry Corporation distributed free poultry to over 200 farmers