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Pilgrims start pouring in for Maha-Kumbh

Pilgrims, saints and members of various akharas (religious organisations) have started arriving for the biggest Hindu spiritual gathering Maha-kumbh beginning at Kumbh Nagar, Allahabad on January 9.

The 14-day Maha-Kumbh will begin with the bathing festival of Paush Purnima.

Equipped with foodstuffs, the crowds have started pouring in by buses, tractors, jeep and other modes of transport.

The shahi pravesh (royal entry) of the akharas which enjoy a special place in the Maha-Kumbh, began Thursday with the entry of Niranjani akhara in the mela area.

The akharas have set up a camp on the sandy bed of river Ganga with flags bearing their insignias.

A tent city had already come up in the 1,300 hectare mela area with all the basic facilities including electricity, drinking water and sanitation.

Elaborate arrangements have been made by the mela administration to avoid any untoward incident. The railways is running 500 special trains and the Uttar Pradesh State Roadways Corporation 4,000 additional buses for the convenience of the pilgrims.

About 75 million pilgrims are expected to visit the month-long Kumbh mela.

Meanwhile, Jyotish Peethadheeshwar Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Basudevanand Maharaj has demanded the release of more water into the Ganga during the Maha-Kumbh.

Talking to reporters at his Alopi Bagh Ashram in Kumbh Nagar Wednesday night, the Shankaracharya said that 52 drains in the city were polluting the holy river and it was not possible for the administration to check this, he observed.

Clean water for bathing could be provided by releasing more water into the Ganga from Hardwar.

In reply to a question, the Shankaracharya said the issue of construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya would definitely be discussed at the Dharma Sansad, convened during the Maha-Kumbh.

UNI

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