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Magh Purnima: Pilgrims take holy dip

          Allahabad: Hindus from different parts of the country took 'holy dip' in the Ganga at the ongoing Ardh Kumbh Mela here on the occasion of 'Magh Purnima' today. Magh Purnima is the full moon in the month of Magha (January - February). This is the third day of the big bathing days at the Triveni Sangam (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mystic Saraswati). It is believed that bathing in the Ganga during the festivals purifies people of sin, speeding the way to the attainment of salvation. Men, women, children, holy-men in saffron and the infirm gathered here before dawn, waiting for the sun to rise for the auspicious bath of the 42-day event. They chanted verses from Hindu scriptures and sang holy hymns as they walked toward the bathing areas. "We have been here for one month, from one full moon day to another. We have been chanting 'Gayatri Mantra' (verses from Hindu scriptures) daily every evening here. We have been praying to Goddess for the last one-month. We have been taking austere food during the past one-month. We have also been in the company of all great saints and sages for one month here. We will leave today," said Ram Swaroom Brahamachari, a devotee.

         "When all the four 'Yugas'(Epochs or Eras) pass for 71 times, it makes a 'Kalpa' (Aeon). If one stays for 'Ardh Kumbh' for one month and prays to God, it is equivalent to praying for one Kalpa. That one month has passed now. Therefore, this day is known as 'Kalpawas'," Brahamachari added. And finally, devotees will take a bath on 'Mahashivratri' (February 15-16). It is the day when devotees all over India worship Shiva. It is the fourth day of the main bathing day. On January 23, thirteen 'Akhara' and devotees took the final 'Shahi Snan' on the occasion of Basant Panchami. The second 'Shahi Snan' took place on the occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya' on January 19 and the first 'Shahi Snan' on January 15. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years ahead of the Maha Khumbh Mela, the biggest bathing festival of Hindus that comes after 12 years. Allahabad is one of four spots where Garuda, the winged steed of the Hindu god Vishnu, is said to have rested during a titanic battle with demons over a pitcher of divine nectar of immortality. Garuda's flight lasted 12 divine days, or 12 years of mortal time, leading to the celebration of the Maha Kumbh Mela every 12 years. Legend says that the gods and the demons fought a celestial war, spilling heavenly nectar at the confluence of three-rivers in Prayag. According to mythology, the midway point between two such celebrations is also considered highly auspicious as the position of the sun and the moon are the same as during the 'Maha Kumbh'. The Maha Kumbh Mela in 1989 attracted 15 million pilgrims and the Guinness Book of Records dubbed it the largest gathering of human beings for a single purpose. It was bettered by the festival in 2001, which drew between 50 and 70 million people.
- Feb 2, 2007

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