Surge in Worshippers at Varanasi's Ganga Ghats During Maghi Purnima; Drones Oversee Crowds
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Synopsis
On Maghi Purnima, thousands of devotees gathered in Varanasi for a holy dip in the Ganga. Authorities utilized drones for crowd monitoring while ensuring smooth management despite the massive turnout.
Key Takeaways
- Thousands of devotees gathered for Maghi Purnima.
- Drones were deployed for crowd monitoring.
- Long queues formed at the Ganga ghats.
- Waiting time for darshan reached 4-5 hours.
- Significant celestial events accompanied the festivities.
New Delhi, Feb 12 (NationPress) A remarkable number of devotees assembled at the Ganga ghats in Varanasi on Wednesday to partake in a sacred dip during Maghi Purnima.
Immersing oneself in these holy waters is thought to cleanse sins and grant divine blessings.
Pilgrims have been arriving since the early hours, creating extensive lines extending from the ghats to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
T. Sarvan, ADC of Kashi Zone, mentioned, "Today marks the Maghi Purnima bath day, and the influx in Varanasi is on the rise. In light of this, we are rerouting traffic from Godolia and Ramapura towards Hasi. Drones are being utilized to oversee crowd movements and ensure effective management to avoid congestion."
A devotee expressed his spiritual journey, stating, "The splendor of the Ganga is revered across the universe. Immersing ourselves today cleanses us of sins and hardships. It's a profoundly divine moment."
Enhancing the spiritual atmosphere, Ghat Priest Vivekanand Pandey highlighted the unique celestial alignment this year, proclaiming, "Today, we celebrate Maghi Purnima on the full moon of the Magh month. Additionally, we are observing the Maha Kumbh after an interval of 144 years. Devotees from far and wide are immersing in the Ganga, performing rituals for their ancestors alongside the pandits."
The substantial turnout has resulted in a waiting period of 4-5 hours for darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. A devotee remarked on the arrangements, saying, "It's genuinely a splendid experience, and the blessings of Lord Bholenath are immense. We completed our darshan in merely two hours. The arrangements are superb, and despite the large crowd, everything is very well managed."
To mitigate overcrowding, authorities have employed drones for real-time crowd surveillance and are directing devotees to alternative ghats. Despite the impressive turnout, the administration is ensuring effective crowd control and safety, making Maghi Purnima in Varanasi a meticulously organized event.
