Magh Mela administration begins work to ready 18 ghats for Mauni Amavasya snan

Prayagraj: With over 38 lakh devotees taking holy dip in Sangam during the two days of Makar Sankranti, the Magh Mela authorities are now gearing up for the biggest event of Mauni Amavasya snan to be held on January 21. Around 2 crore devotees from all across the country are likely to take dip on the occasion.
Mela Officer, Arvind Singh Chauhan, who is also vice-chairman of Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) told TOI, “Elaborate arrangements will be made for Mauni Amavasya snan scheduled on January 21. The number of ghats would be increased for the convenience of devotees and pilgrims who would be flocking banks of sangam from different districts and states.” Chauhan, however, said, “Mela administration has decided to construct two more ghats. There would be a total 18 ghats for bathing of pilgrims and devotees.” “Mela administration would focus on both crowd and traffic management after acknowledging the volume of foot fall during two days makar Sankranti snan and addition forces would be deployed for the same,” he further informed. Noted religious scholar Amitabh Gour says, “Mauni Amavasya is a unique Hindu tradition observed on the Amavasya (no moon day) during the magh month. The word ‘mauni’ or ‘mauna’ signifies silence, therefore on this specific day, most of the devotees observe complete silence.”
Mauni Amavasya is a day dedicated for spiritual sadhna. Every Magh Mela, Kumbh or ardh Kumbh, Mauni Amavasya has always been the most important day for bathing in the holy Ganges and is popularly referred as the day of Amrit Yoga, added Gour.
Majorityo f devotees including saints and seers camping in magh mela observe complete silence during Mauni Amavasya. They abstain from speaking throughout the day and prefer to meditate to attain the state of oneness with self.
A senior officer said, “With four days left for the Mauni Amavasya snan, we have already started preparations of the day and around two crore devotees including saints, seers and kalpwasi are likely to take holy dip on the banks of Ganga. He added, “Additional forces from neighbouring districts have been called in and the entire mela campus would be turned into a fortress.”
The cops deployed at ICCC ( Integrated command & control centre) would help mela authorities to regulate the flow of devotees and traffic management. A wide network of CCTV sets will help police authorities to maintain a close watch o nvisitors.