Magh Mela: Over 21 lakh take dip at Sangam on Makar Sankranti
Prayagraj (PTI): More than 21 lakh devotees took dip in the Ganga and the Sangam at the ongoing Magh Mela here on Thursday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, officials said.
A Magh Mela administration official said bathing began from midnight and by 8 am, around 21 lakh people had performed the ritual bath.
Given that the auspicious period for Makar Sankranti continues throughout the day, the number of pilgrims is expected to cross one crore by evening, he added.
Explaining the religious significance of the day, local priest Ravishankar Mishra said Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the sun's northward journey (Uttarayan).
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"The period from sunrise to sunset is considered highly auspicious, and worship of the Sun God and chanting of the Gayatri Mantra on this day is believed to be especially fruitful," he said.
Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agrawal said the Magh Mela is spread over 800 hectares across seven sectors. More than 25,000 toilets have been set up in the fair area, and over 3,500 sanitation workers have been deployed.
Agrawal said a tent city has been established at the Magh Mela for visitors wishing to observe short-term 'Kalpvas' (period dedicated to spiritual purification), offering facilities such as meditation and yoga. To facilitate smooth movement of devotees, services like bike taxis and golf carts have also been arranged.
Superintendent of Police (Magh Mela) Neeraj Pandey said over 10,000 police personnel have been deployed across the fair area to ensure the safety of pilgrims and smooth crowd movement. For effective crowd and traffic management, 42 temporary parking facilities have been developed this year, with capacity to accommodate more than one lakh vehicles.
He added that multiple ghats have been constructed for the Magh Mela 2025-26, equipped with all basic amenities, including changing rooms for devotees.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
