Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed the Bengal Kumbh Mela Committee today to ensure that pilgrims both from Bengal and other states of India, face no inconvenience during the ongoing Kumbh Mela at Triveni in Hooghly and Mahaprabhu Ghat, Majer Char, Kalyani in Nadia which will continue till 16 February.

With the second Shahi Snan on Thursday, a large number of devotees gathered at both ghats to take a holy dip. Pilgrims from various parts of the country are expected to arrive in the coming days. The state administration had already alerted the Hooghly and Nadia district authorities to ensure smooth arrangements for the mela. The chief minister had earlier decided to cancel her planned visit to the Kumbh Mela, allowing the administration to focus entirely on crowd management. In her message, she expressed today’s happiness over the event organised by the Ramakrishna Vedanta Mission. More than one lakh devotees took holy dip yesterday at Triveni today thousands of devotees gathered to take holy dip at 4 a.m. at Gauranga Mahaprabhu Ghat, Majer Char, Kalyani. Swami Paramatmananda, Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara, and also one of the organiser of Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela himself took holy dip with several monks. A Shahi Julus (royal procession) also led by Paramatmananda arrived at the ghat early in the morning.

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“I am delighted to know that the ‘Bengal Kumbh Mela’ is being held at Gauranga Mahaprabhu Ghat, Majer Char, Kalyani, from 10-16 February. I would have been happy to attend personally, but such gatherings witness huge crowds, and I want to ensure that pilgrims face no difficulties. Therefore, I extend my best wishes for the grand success of the mela through this message,” Mamata Banerjee said. Swami Shiveshwarananda Maharaj, president of the Bengal Kumbh Mela Committee, remarked that the Bengal Kumbh is gaining popularity and will soon attract pilgrims from all over India.

Meanwhile, Swami Paramatmananda, Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara, on behalf of monks praised chief minister Mamata Banerjee for allocating Rs 500 crore in the state Budget for the construction of a bridge over the Muriganga river to ensure safe travel to Gangasagar. He noted that around one crore pilgrims visited Gangasagar this year, emphasising the urgent need for a bridge. “The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,500 crore for Muriganga Bridge, and the Central government should also come forward to support this initiative,” he added.