Prayagraj, Jan 18 (NationPress) On Sunday, Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand alleged that the state administration obstructed his efforts to reach the Sangam Nose during the Prayagraj Magh Mela on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. He claimed that police personnel halted him midway to the Sangam ghat, compelling him and his followers to retreat without performing the holy dip.

According to the Shankaracharya, his palanquin was interrupted as senior police officials reportedly pushed and mistreated his disciples.

He asserted that given the circumstances, he opted not to proceed further, noting that saints were being assaulted during this experience.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand added that, in light of the situation, he would forgo the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya.

Expressing his dissatisfaction with how the state administration handled the matter, he stated that the authorities' behavior forced him to withdraw.

In a statement to reporters, Swami Avimukteshwaranand remarked, "Currently, we are being prohibited from taking the holy bath. We will see what unfolds next. The administration can act as it wishes. We have instructed our followers to return, as the administration is hindering the process. There is no justification for us to advance. We are in support of the administration."

"We hold no grievances, but it is now the administration's responsibility to clarify what is amiss," he added.

Significantly, Mauni Amavasya represents the third and most prominent bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj, traditionally drawing a vast crowd of saints and devotees.

From early Sunday morning, a significant number of pilgrims arrived at the Sangam Ghat despite dense fog and chilly conditions to partake in the holy dip, marking it as one of the most vital days of the religious gathering.

To ensure the safety and orderly movement of pilgrims, stringent security and traffic protocols were implemented at the Sangam Ghat.

NDRF and SDRF teams were deployed, while CCTV cameras and drones were utilized for ongoing surveillance.

Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal reported that approximately fifty lakh devotees had taken the holy dip at various ghats since 6 p.m. on Saturday.

In a statement to IANS, she said, "Despite the crowd being larger than anticipated, adequate arrangements had been made, and the bathing process was progressing smoothly and in an orderly fashion."

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma confirmed that the main bathing ceremony of Mauni Amavasya was occurring on Sunday, with a large number of devotees bathing continuously since midnight.

He noted that the process had been uninterrupted for over six hours, with devotees present at every ghat, taking the holy dip peacefully.