SOAKED IN KUMBH COLOURS
After spending a month on Ganga banks, they began packing their belongings on Tuesday
Over 1.25 crore devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam on the fifth official bathing day of Maghi Purnima on Tuesday. It also marked the end of month-long Kalpvas.
The total number of devotees who bathed at the Sangam since the start of the Kumbh and the first bathing of Makar Sankranti on January 14/15, had crossed the 20 crore mark on Tuesday and was registered at 20.54 crore.
PRAYAGARJ:Maghi Purnima Snan on Tuesday marked the end of Kalpvas as lakhs of kalpvasis performed final rituals ending with offerings to the Prayagwals (family priests) and immersion of barley stalks, which they planted at their tent at the beginning of their kalpvas in Kumbh Mela.
For many kalpvasis, it was an emotional moment. After spending a month on the banks of the Ganga, performing different rituals in the presence of seers, they began packing their belongings. Many decided to return to their respective village and city today itself.
“It’s an emotional moment. Though I am happy to return home and meet my children and grandchildren, I will never forget the time I spent here. In over 70 years of my life, the kalpvas was the best time as there was a feeling of bliss and so much peace on the banks of the Sangam. I am going to miss this place. If I am alive, I will again come for kalpvas next year,” said Prabha Rani, who was staying in the camp of Munna Panda.Munni Devi, returning to her camp after taking dip in the Ganga, announced that she completed 12 years of kalpvas in Prayagraj. “After my husband died, I took a pledge that I will perform kalpvas for 12 years after my three children were settled and married. Now, I will donate clothes and other items which is called Sejiya Daan for my next life,” she said.
“The first reference of what appears to be kalpvas finds mention in the travel account of Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang in 644 CE. Hieun Tsang was part of entourage of Harshvardhan the King of Kannauj who arrived with his family at the Sangam in the month of Magh, and set up camp for a prolonged period of time,” said Vincent Van Ross, author of the first book on Magh Mela.