Thaindian News

By Asit Srivastava
Haridwar, Feb 11 (IANS) This holy city in Uttarakhand has been turned into a virtual fortress with nearly 10,000 security personnel deployed ahead of the first and much awaited Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) of the Maha Kumbh Mela on the occasion of Mahashivratri Friday.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on Mahashivratri.

“Unprecedented security cover has come up in Haridwar and its adjoining regions ahead of the first Shahi Snan that would witness a sea of pilgrims, particularly sadhus,” Anand Vardhan, officer in charge of the Mela, told IANS.

“Around 10,000 security personnel that include commandos, provincial armed constabulary (PAC), Rapid Action Force (RAF), intelligence units and bomb disposal squads (BDS) have been deployed around the Mela area spread across 130 sq km spanning Haridwar, Dehradun, Pauri and Tehri Garhwal districts,” he added.

Police here Wednesday arrested two youths, hailing from Orissa, on charges of keeping explosives (ammonium nitrate detonators) on Feb 2 at the Haridwar railway station.

“Due to our stringent security checks, we arrested two youth yesterday,” deputy inspector general of police (DIG, Kumbh Mela) Alok Sharma told IANS.

According to police, the two youths have admitted that they kept the explosives at the railway station. However, both have denied any links with Islamic or Maoist terrorist groups. Their accomplice Rajesh, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, is absconding.

“We are in touch with Orissa police to get more details about the suspects. Investigations are on,” the DIG added.

Meanwhile, of the 13 Akhadas (sects) of Hindu sadhus present here for the Maha Kumbh Mela, only seven would participate in the Shahi Snan Friday.

Shahi Snan - one of the most important events of the Maha Kumbh Mela — witnesses sadhus of various sects going to the banks of the Ganga in a ceremonial march and then plunging into the waters - a symbol that they have dedicated themselves to the holy river.

“Of the 13 Akhadas, only seven, including Juna, Niranjani and Maha Nirvani, will be participating in the first Shahi Snan,” said Vardhan.

“In view of the Shahi Snan, the regular devotees will be allowed to bathe along the ghats only till 8 a.m. Then the ghats would be cleaned and would be made ready for the Shahi Snan that will start at around 11 a.m. and will witness participation of only sadhus, including the ash-smeared, bare-bodied Naga Sadhus. It will continue till 4.30-5 p.m.,” he added.

The next two Shahi Snans will take place on March 15 and April 14, on the occasions of Somawati Aamavasya and Baisakhi respectively.

As a part of their security measures, the police have asked hotels, ashrams and other agencies providing accommodation, to install closed circuit TV cameras in their premises to maintain vigil round-the-clock.

“Security forces would take positions at all strategic points and keep vigil on suspicious elements. It’s one of the world’s most important religious gatherings. We are not going to take any chance,” said Sharma.

The Maha Kumbh Mela that began Jan 14 will end April 28 after the Baisakhi Shahi Snan April 14.

According to Hindu mythology, Haridwar is one of the four places where a drop of the nectar of immortality or ‘amrit’ fell from the pitcher or ‘kumbh’ when Garuda, the divine bird of Lord Vishnu, was spiriting it away from the demons after a pitched battle.

Since then, Haridwar, along with Allahabad, Nashik and Ujjain - the other three places - have been celebrating the Kumbh Mela.