Basant Panchami Holy Dip Draws Unprecedented Crowds at the Sangam
Prayagraj. Crowded bathing ghats, packed arterial roads across the Parade Ground throughout the day, and a slow-moving human tide crawling over the pontoon bridges told a single, unmistakable story: this Friday marked the special bathing occasion of Basant Panchami.
For the first time, security and administrative strictness on Basant Panchami surpassed even that witnessed on Mauni Amavasya.
The entry of unnecessary vehicles was completely stopped, yet the swelling crowds continued unabated.
Pilgrims arrived on foot from Baslan Crossing, Medical College Crossing, and multiple approach routes. The festive aura of Basant Panchami was visible everywhere, with a distinct touch of spring in the air and on the riverbanks.
From GT Jawahar Crossing, devotees proceeded on foot. In the early hours, people were guided toward the Sangam via the Sangam Upper and Ganga Upper routes after crossing the embankment through Kali Road.
However, by around 9 a.m., pressure mounted sharply. Movement on the Sangam Upper route between Kali Road and Triveni Marg was halted, and the Ganga Upper route was also closed. Thereafter, pilgrims were diverted through Pontoon Bridge No. 3 to reach the Sangam.
When devotees reached near Pontoon Bridge No. 2, they were informed that it had been reserved exclusively for emergency use.
Since Pontoon Bridge No. 1 was designated for return movement from the Sangam toward Jhunsi, many pilgrims had to turn back and cross via Pontoon Bridge No. 4 instead.
Throughout the day, every major ghat—Sangam Nose, Airavat Ghat, Ram Ghat, Kali Ghat, Nagvasuki Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, and others—remained filled with devotees performing the sacred ritual bath. There was not a single moment when the ghats appeared empty.
Rampur resident Shyam Upadhya was seen walking barefoot toward the Sangam. After performing the holy dip, he filled a five-litre can with Triveni water and began his journey back home.
A group of 95 pilgrims from Sitapur and Sultanpur started their walk toward the Sangam around 8:30 a.m. Family members said that after hearing reports of massive bathing numbers on Mauni Amavasya, they resolved to perform the Ganga bath on Basant Panchami.
Once the idea was shared among family and friends, everyone readily agreed. Within just two days, all arrangements were made, a bus was booked, and the group reached the Sangam.
Gayatri Devi from Basti has been attending the Magh Mela for the past 50 years. She has taken the holy dip on Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, and Basant Panchami over the decades.
She bathed on Mauni Amavasya during the previous Maha Kumbh and, this time, seized the opportunity to bathe on Basant Panchami.
Shankaracharya Nishchalanand and Prominent Saints Take the Holy Dip
On the occasion of Basant Panchami, Puri Peethadhishwar Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati took a ceremonial bath at the Sangam.
He was joined by several eminent saints, including Jagadguru Swami Santoshdas ‘Satua Baba’, Baghambari Peethadhishwar Mahant Balveer Giri, Swami Adhokshajanand Devteerth, Dandi Sanyasi Swami Brahmashram, Swami Maheshashram, Acharya Kaushalyanand Giri of the Sanatani Kinnar Akhara, saints of the Avahan Akhara, and Kinnar Akhara Mahamandleshwar Kalyaninand Giri.
Following the holy bath, community feasts (bhandaras) were organised across all camps. On the sandy expanse of the Sangam, rigorous spiritual practices also commenced on Basant Panchami.
In the Khak Chowk area, ascetics of Tapasvi Nagar began intense penance by sitting amid burning cow-dung cakes—a practice that will continue until Ganga Dussehra.
Throughout this period, the saints will remain seated among the embers, praying for world peace and the protection of dharma.
Some saints lit eight cow-dung cakes, others sixteen, and some even 108 around themselves; a few were seen placing them upon their heads.
Mahamandaleshwar Gopaldas explained that this is a centuries-old tradition of severe spiritual discipline undertaken by ascetics.
Kalpvasis Worship Goddess Saraswati
Across camps in the mela area, Basant Panchami was celebrated with devotion and joy. Seeking imperishable merit, Kalpvasis gathered at the Triveni banks to offer prayers to the invisible River Saraswati and immersed themselves in the holy waters as per their capacity.
Thereafter, they returned to their camps to perform ritual worship of Goddess Saraswati, the presiding deity of knowledge.
In Sectors One, Two, and Three, most Kalpvasis staying with their priests reached the Sangam during the Brahma Muhurta for the Panchami bath. They offered five, eleven, or twenty-one dips in reverence, invoking the blessings of Saraswati Mata.
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