Thousands of Devotees Take Holy Dip in Ganga on Basant Panchami in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar
Haridwar (Uttarakhand) [India], February 14: In celebration of Basant Panchami, thousands of devotees gathered at the holy river Ganga in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, to take a sacred dip on Wednesday. Despite freezing temperatures, the devotees expressed their joy and shared their sentiments about the significance of the occasion and the sanctity of the Ganga. One particular devotee, Ankush Sharma, emphasized the blessings he believes accompany the rituals performed in Haridwar throughout the year. The day was further heightened by witnessing the Ganga Aarti, a beautiful ritual that involves worshiping the river and seeking blessings from Mother Ganga.
Meanwhile, preparations for Basant Panchami were also underway in Uttar Pradesh, where the authorities faced challenges posed by the cold weather and overnight rain. Rajeev Narain Mishra, the DIG Magh Mela Prayagraj, highlighted the positive response from devotees despite the adverse weather conditions. Mishra assured the public that the bathing process was proceeding smoothly and that meticulous safety measures were in place. The authorities even resumed boat services after initially restricting them due to strong winds. Dedicated paths for boat arrivals and departures were marked for the safety of the devotees. Mishra also mentioned the presence of security forces, such as ATS commandos, RAF, STF, bomb disposal squads, and female police officers, along with the use of advanced technology like drones and CCTV cameras to ensure a safe and well-managed celebration. So far, Mishra estimates that over 4 lakh devotees have taken the holy dip.
In another part of the country, the celebration of Basant Panchami is taking place at the Deoghar Baba Temple, where devotees from the Mithila region of Bihar have gathered to participate in rituals that have been followed for thousands of years. The district administration and temple management have made extensive arrangements to accommodate the increasing crowd and ensure a smooth flow of events. Devotees apply tilak (a mark of auspiciousness) and offer water to Baba Bholenath. According to Vishal Sagar, the District Commissioner, CCTV cameras are being continuously used for crowd management purposes and to ensure the safety of the devotees.
This significant Hindu festival not only marks the end of the winter season but also holds cultural and religious importance. Devotees cherish their relationship with their beloved deities and seek blessings for happiness and prosperity. Basant Panchami is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy, and devotees engage in various traditions and rituals that are deeply rooted in their faith.
As the celebrations continue, devotees across India come together to celebrate Basant Panchami, seeking the blessings of the deities and embracing the joyous spirit of the festival.
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