A biting cold wave has failed to dampen the enthusiasm that gripped the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati at Prayagraj in UP, when millions of people thronged the place to take a holy dip to observe the Mauni Amavasya in the morning on Saturday.
According to what the officials say, over 5 million devotees have taken dip in the Sangam since late Friday night. The pilgrims from far flung areas started thronging the Sangam ghats since Friday. But the crowd size swelled early in the morning. The holy dip was followed by the puja to the Ganga.
The authorities have deployed police and para military forces to ensure peace and normalcy in the festival of Magh Mela.
But a mild rain in the morning caused no less inconvenience to the pilgrims who were taking shelter at the camps.