The Maha Kumbh mela in Allahabad on Sunday as three crore pilgrims converged for a holy dip at Sangam on the auspicious occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya'

The Maha Kumbh mela in Allahabad on Sunday as three crore pilgrims converged for a holy dip at Sangam on the auspicious occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya'. A sea of devotees kept surging towards the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati throughout the day, while the 13 'akharas' took out their processions for the second 'Shahi Snan' during the Maha Kumbh.

Amid chants of 'Har Har Gange', devotees including a fair sprinkling of foreigners, watched awestruck as 'naga sadhus' with their matted hair, ash-smeared naked bodies adorned with garlands of marigold and 'rudraksh' moved in processions with their 'Shri Mahants' and 'Mahamandaleshwars' perched atop decorated chariots, horses and elephants.

In fact, the ritual of bathing started from Saturday afternoon itself when 'Mauni Amavasya' began according to the Hindu almanac and reached its crescendo this morning.
Railways ran a number of special trains and bus operators, both private and government, plied hundreds of additional buses for the occasion.
However, according to reports received here, a railway station in the neighbouring district of Pratapgarh was vandalised this morning by people angry over non-availability of a special train for a trip to the holy Sangam.
Tight security arrangements were in place with more than 15,000 security personnel drawn from central paramilitary forces like ITBP, CRPF, BSF and RAF besides the Uttar Police and its Provincial Armed Constabulary and Anti Terrorist Squad keeping a close vigil.
Besides, the Army which has an ordnance depot located close to the Kumbh area, also did its bit by conducting aerial surveys every few minutes.