Detailed security arrangements for Basant Panchmi magh mela
January 31st, 2009 - 4:05 pm ICT by ANI Allahabad, Jan 31 (ANI): Allahabad, in Uttar Pradesh, is celebrating Saraswati Puja with full fervour and gaiety at the fourth bathing festival of Magh mela.
Here, around 40 lakh Hindu devotees are expected to take the auspicious holy dip on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
Quick reaction teams (QRT), commandos and paramilitary forces have been deployed. An anti-terrorist squad (ATS), a special task force, a bomb disposal squad, an anti-mines squad and intelligence officials are checking the banks where the pilgrims bathe.
Deputy Inspector General M K Bashal claimed that Mela police have strengthened security at checkpoints and will implement a disaster management plan to deal with any emergency.
Saraswati Puja and Basant Panchmi are being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. Schools and colleges are closed.
The festival is celebrated with colours (gulal), as customs associated with the Holi festival begins from this day.
The birthday of Saraswati, considered as the goddess of knowledge and arts, is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha. (ANI)
- Pilgrims converge for Magh Mela in Allahabad - Dec 31, 2009
- Sea of pilgrims throng Sangam as Magh Mela begins - Dec 31, 2009
- Magh Mela begins with sea of pilgrims at Sangam (Lead) - Dec 31, 2009
- Magh Mela begins Thursday in Allahabad - Dec 30, 2009
- With a burst of yellow, Indians mark Basant Panchami - Feb 08, 2011
- Pilgrims bathe in Sangam to ward off lunar eclipse impact - Jan 01, 2010
- Thousands take Basant Panchami dip in Sangam - Feb 08, 2011
- Allahabad prepares for Magh Mela pilgrims - Dec 03, 2009
- On Kartik Purnima, thousands take holy dip - Nov 10, 2011
- Kites, feasts, dancing mark Makar Sankranti celebrations (Roundup) - Jan 15, 2012
- Magh Mela to attract 20 million, amenities not ready yet - Dec 19, 2009
- Allahabad Hindu seers threaten to boycott Magh Mela festival - Dec 19, 2009
- Devotees take holy deep in Ganges on Basant Panchami in Haridwar - Jan 20, 2010
- Sadhus take out procession ahead of holy dip in Haridwar - Jan 31, 2010
- Devotees throng Shiva temples, celebrate 'Shravan' - Jul 16, 2011
Tags: allahabad, bomb disposal squad, deputy inspector general, disaster management plan, fifth day, gaiety, gulal, hindu devotees, hindu festival, holi, holi festival, holy dip, intelligence officials, lakh, lunar month, mythical saraswati, paramilitary forces, puja, security arrangements, yamuna
