Maha Kumbh: Government Offices Closed Amid Growing Crowds in Prayagraj for Basant Panchami Amrit Snan
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Synopsis
As Prayagraj experiences a surge of devotees for the third 'Amrit Snan' of the Maha Kumbh, government offices in the area will remain closed. The holiday aims to facilitate the management of crowds during the Basant Panchami celebrations, with safety measures in place to ensure a secure and organized event.
Key Takeaways
- Government offices in Prayagraj closed for Basant Panchami.
- Over 5 crore devotees expected for the 'Amrit Snan'.
- Safety measures implemented to manage crowds.
- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath monitoring the situation closely.
- The Sangam site adopting structured approaches post-tragedy.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (NationPress) As Prayagraj witnesses an influx of pilgrims during the third ‘Amrit Snan’ of the Maha Kumbh, local government offices have been declared closed to effectively manage the substantial gathering for the Basant Panchami festivities.
The District Magistrate of Prayagraj has officially announced this local holiday.
"It is hereby communicated that due to the vast number of devotees and bathers, alongside traffic regulations, a local holiday has been instituted for government offices in Prayagraj district on the date of the primary bathing festival, February 3, to uphold peace and order," the release stated.
With an estimated 5 crore devotees anticipated to partake in the 'Amrit Snan', the state administration has implemented additional safety measures, ensuring that the sequence of various spiritual sects (akharas) for the sacred dip is meticulously coordinated.
The Sangam, the location of last week’s tragic crowd surge that claimed 30 lives and left over 60 injured, is adopting a more structured approach this time to avert congestion and possible mishaps.
At dawn, numerous seers from different akharas convened for the sacred ritual, signaling the commencement of the third 'Amrit Snan' of the Mela. By 4 AM, reports indicated that approximately 16.58 lakh devotees had already engaged in the holy dip, with the Uttar Pradesh government bracing for a total of 5 crore attendees for the day.
Officials are vigilantly monitoring crowd dynamics, with heightened focus on the ghats and pathways to secure the safety of the gathering.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remained on high alert from the early morning hours, overseeing updates from the command center since 3 AM, ensuring the seamless execution of the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan at Mahakumbh 2025.
His primary concern centered on the safety and welfare of the sants and devotees participating in this sacred ceremony, alongside ensuring that all requisite arrangements were adequately established for a smooth and orderly occasion.
