Pilgrim surge at Maha Kumbh again, traffic measures back in Prayagraj

Several vehicles carrying pilgrims were stopped on the outskirts of Prayagraj, where they were directed to designated parking lots. From there, the pilgrims proceeded to the Sangam area.

In the city, the district police have put up barricading  in several areas to ensure that traffic moves smoothly. Pilgrims in groups were seen moving towards the kumbh area.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, along with his family, took a dip at the Triveni Sangam.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, along with three cabinet ministers and four BJP MLAs, on Thursday took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during the ongoing Maha Kumbh.

In a post on X, Singh said, “Standing at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati at Triveni Sangam, one feels the embrace of divinity itself. As the cool waters touch the soul, they wash away not just the dust of the body but the burdens of countless lifetimes.” “With folded hands and a heart full of devotion, I pray for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of our great nation and the beloved people of Manipur,” Singh added.

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Thursday participated in the Kumbh and said the mega pilgrimage serves as a “beacon of peace, unity and service for the entire world”.

According to an official release, the Governor visited the Parmarth Niketan camp, where he was in the presence of Swami Chidanand Saraswati. The occasion saw in-depth discussions on spiritual philosophy, Indian culture, Ganga conservation, and global peace.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also took a dip at the confluence with his family.

Also, a group of 68 Hindu devotees from Sindh province, Pakistan, also arrived at the Maha Kumbh and performed the ritual of immersing the ashes of their ancestors in the Sangam.

According to Kumbh administration, a total of 67.20 lakh pilgrims visited the Kumbh area till 8:00 pm on Thursday, indicating an increase of over 10 lakh compared to the previous day. On Wednesday, 57.68 lakh pilgrims were recorded till 8:00 pm. On Monday, the footfall was significantly higher, with 2.47 crore pilgrims visiting the Kumbh.

Meanwhile, the three-day meeting of the Vishva Hindu Parishad will commence on February 7 at the VHP camp in Jhunsi, the right wing group said on Thursday. Addressing reporters at the camp, VHP’s International General Secretary Bajrang Lal Bagra said the meeting would deliberate on the removal of Hindu temples from government control, “demographic imbalance,” and the “unchecked and extensive powers” of the Waqf Board.

The participants will also discuss the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, and the “liberation” of religious sites like Kashi and Mathura following the Ayodhya verdict.

The meeting will see participation from representatives of VHP’s 47 “provinces” from across India, as well as abroad.

Key attendees will be VHP International President Alok Kumar, General Secretary Milind Parande, Joint General Secretary Vinayakrao Deshpande, and leaders from affiliated bodies such as Bajrang Dal, Matru Shakti, and Durga Vahini.

—With PTI inputs