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`Polluted' Ganga angers pilgrims

2 lakh "Kalpavasis" to observe penance ; first `Shahi Snan' on January 14

PHOTO: PTI

ARDH KUMBH BEGINS: People take bath on the occasion of `Purnima' at Sangam in Allahabad on Wednesday.

ALLAHABAD: The huge congregation on the opening day of Ardh Kumbh here included over 2 lakh "Kalpavasis" who will observe a month of penance at the sprawling mela ground of over 4,000 acres as well as pilgrims from nearby towns and villages.

Many pilgrims and saints have expressed dissatisfaction over the quality of the water in the Ganga despite official claims that adequate water had been released from the Narora dam in Saharanpur to augment the volume of the river water and improve its quality.

A saint has even threatened to take "Jal Samadhi" if the situation does not improve before the first "Shahi Snan" (royal bath).

Authorities' assurance

The authorities, however, expressed confidence that with release of more water the quality would improve by then.

The tempo of the Ardh Kumbh congregation is expected to reach its peak with the first "Shahi Snan" on Makar Sankranti (January 14), when the akharas of saints will lead the bathing processions. Six more akharas would have entered the mela ground in ceremonial processions by then while three others do not observe this tradition. There are two more days of "Shahi Snan" -- Mauni Amavasya (January 19) and Basant Panchami (January 23).

The other days of auspicious bathing are on Magh Poornima (February 2) and Maha Shivratri (February 16).

Talking to reporters, Mela Officer P. R. Mishra and Senior Superintendent of Police (Ardh Kumbh) Rajeev Sabharwal said the day was incident-free.

Three persons, including a 10-year-old boy, were saved from drowning by "Jal Police" while seven persons were arrested for allegedly stealing goods belonging to "Kalpavasis", Mr. Sabharwal said.

Besides, an army jawan's daughter was hospitalised as she fell ill after taking bath in the early morning chill, he said. Allahabad was the coldest place in the State at 6.2 degrees Celsius, said meteorological officials. - PTI.

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