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Kinnar Akhara Leader's Holy Dip at Triveni Sangam Marks Paush Purnima

Mahamandaleshwar Kalyani Nand Giri Maharaj of the Kinnar Akhara took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on Paush Purnima, marking the commencement of the annual Magh Mela. The spiritual leader emphasized the day's significance and urged devotees to help maintain cleanliness at the sacred confluence site. Thousands of pilgrims thronged the ghats from early morning, with the administration managing the crowds for the ritual bathing. The 45-day pilgrimage, featuring six major ritual baths, will continue until Mahashivaratri, with Prayagraj's Magh Mela transforming into the Kumbh Mela every fourth year.

Key Points: Kinnar Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Takes Holy Dip at Prayagraj Sangam

  • Holy dip at Triveni Sangam
  • Start of Magh Mela pilgrimage
  • Call for cleanliness at ghats
  • Six ritual baths over 45 days
3 min read

Prayagraj: Kinnar Akhara Mahamandaleshwar takes holy Dip at Triveni Sangam on Paush Purnima

Mahamandaleshwar Kalyani Nand Giri leads Paush Purnima rituals at Triveni Sangam, marking the start of the 45-day Magh Mela pilgrimage in Prayagraj.

"Today's Paush Purnima Snan is of great importance... I request everyone to come and experience this sacred event. - Kalyani Nand Giri Maharaj"

Prayagraj, January 3

Kinnar Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Kalyani Nand Giri Maharaj took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam here on Saturday, highlighting the day's spiritual significance.

Speaking to ANI after the ritual bath, Kalyani Nand Giri Maharaj said, "Today's Paush Purnima Snan is of great importance, with devotees arriving to take a holy dip on this auspicious occasion." I request everyone to come and experience this sacred event, and also to help keep our Sangam area clean."

The Mahamandaleshwar also urged devotees to help maintain cleanliness in the Sangam area, emphasising pilgrims' collective responsibility to preserve the sanctity of the holy confluence.

Devotees continued to throng the Triveni Sangam from the early hours, with the administration making necessary arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the bathing rituals and crowd management.

From early morning, pilgrims from across the country arrived at the ghats to participate in the ritual bath, which holds special religious significance in Hindu tradition. The atmosphere at the ghats was marked by devotional fervour, with chants and prayers echoing along the riverbanks.

The Magh Mela will continue in the coming weeks, with several other essential bathing dates scheduled ahead.

The Magh Mela of Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), which takes place at the divine Triveni Sangam, the place of confluence of the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati, is one of the largest pilgrimages in India.

The pilgrimage is named after the Hindu month of Magh, which typically falls in January-February. The Prayag Magh Mela is a 45-day pilgrimage that begins on Paush Purnima (the full moon day of the month of Paush) and ends on Mahashivaratri, spanning the entire month of Magh.

The mela commences on the full moon day of Paush with the snan (ritual dip). Over the course of the fair, there are a total of six ritual snans, viz. on Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti (beginning of Magh), Shattila Ekadashi (day of the waning of moon- Krishna Pakhsa- in the month of Magh), Mauni Amavasya (the no moon day of Magh when people take vow of silence), Basant Panchami (also called Magha Shukla Panchami, the fifth day of the waxing phase of moon in Magh), Achala Saptami (seventh day of waxing phase of moon in Magh, celebrated as the birthday of Lord Surya), Jaya Ekadashi (the day of fasting observed on the eleventh day of the waxing phase of moon in Magh) and Magh Purnima (the full moon day in Magh).

The annual Magh Mela transforms into the Kumbh Mela every fourth year at Prayag, and into the Maha Kumbh Mela every twelfth year, drawing millions of devout pilgrims to the grand event.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The message about keeping the Sangam clean is so important. Every year after these large gatherings, we see so much waste. It's our collective responsibility, as the Maharaj said, to preserve the purity of our holy rivers.
R
Rohit P
My family just returned from Prayagraj after taking the dip on Paush Purnima. The energy at the ghats is indescribable. The administration did a decent job with crowd management this time. Jai Ganga Maiyya!
S
Sarah B
As someone visiting India, reading about the scale and spiritual depth of the Magh Mela is fascinating. The article explains the different bathing dates so well. The emphasis on cleanliness alongside devotion is a lesson for all major gatherings worldwide.
V
Vikram M
While the spiritual significance is paramount, I hope the authorities are also focusing on the environmental impact. The sheer volume of pilgrims necessitates advanced waste management and water treatment plans to protect the rivers in the long term.
K
Kavya N
The article is a good reminder of our rich traditions. My grandmother used to tell us stories about the Magh Mela. Planning to take my children for Basant Panchami snan this year. It's important for the next generation to connect with this heritage.

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