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Devotee-turnout at Kumbh Mela crosses all expectations

Sharat Pradhan in Hardwar

The turnout of Hindu devotees in Hardwar for the auspicious dip in the holy Ganga on the opening day of the Kumbh Mela went far beyond expectations. Over 300,000 people took the customary bath amidst chanting of hymns by Wednesday noon at the Har ki pauri, which is believed to have been graced by Lord Vishnu.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the total goes beyond 450,000 by evening, when the first of the 11 auspicious days for the bath comes to an end," J P Sharma, the chief of festival operations, said.

Devotees from different corners of the country had started for the river bank even before the crack of dawn. The well lit-up bathing ghats (houses) wore a festive look. The ancient temple at Hari ki pauri was adorned with colourful lights.

Braving the morning's 6 degree celsius, men, women and children of all ages happily stepped into the freezing waters of the Himalayan river. While most devotees performed their rituals and prayers with the help of priests, some chose to go ahead on their own.

The feeling which the holy dip left in the hearts and minds of the bathers seemed universal, cutting across caste, creed, age and economic barriers.

It was 'a godly experience' for Naresh Mahato and his wife Kusuma from Bihar's Jharkhand belt. For Rita Dey, a headmistress from Calcutta, it was a 'dream of lifetime fulfilled.'

"It is an exhilarating experience to submerge oneself in the waters of this divine place," she said.

"I do not why, but I am feeling spiritually elated after the dip," Calcutta-based businesswoman Bhaswati Ghosh said.

There were armymen, too, among the bathers. Subedar K B Gurung, who had come down with his family and other colleagues, found the dip worth the trouble.

"I have always longed for this," he said, "God is great."

Many of the policemen on duty were also seen taking turns for a quick dip. The occasion also saw an army of leprsosy-affected people and handicapped beggars flocking to the river bank, not for the divine dip, but for alms from the devotees.

February 1 will be the next auspicious day for the holy dip.

Officials expect 150 million bathers over the three-and-a-half month festival. The maximum turnout, they say, will be on April 14, regarded as the most sacred day of the festival -- there will be around 6 to 7 million devotees that day.

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