Devotee from Australia takes holy dip at Mahakumbh calls it "experience for a lifetime"

"Words cannot define my happiness and gratitude of being here...This is an experience for a lifetime...," said the devotee from Australia.

Another foreigner said, "This was an incredible opportunity to take a holy dip in the River Ganga and find inner peace here...Its such a blessing. it is incredible to see how many people can take the sacred dip in the Ma Yamuna, Ma Ganga, Ma saraswati. Incredible, incredible"

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati also described the opportunity to take a dip as an amazing one. "It was an amazing experience to take a holy dip on the occasion of Magha Purnima... This is a great experience...."

Meanwhile, according to the administration the Magh Purnima 'snan' concluded successfully on Wednesday.

Urban Development Department Secretary Anuj Jha said that the conclusion of the 'snan' was a huge milestone in itself.

"The snan of Maghi Purnima has been concluded successfully. It is a huge milestone for us... Lakhs of Kalpavasis and crores of pilgrims have visited here in the last month... Urban Development was the nodal department... All the arrangements are being done efficiently..." Jha said speaking to ANI.

The total number of pilgrims visiting the Mela grounds has reached 38.83 million, while Kalpwasis staying in the area has crossed 10 million.

According to officials, the cumulative number of devotees who have performed snan since the beginning of the festival has now exceeded 462.5 million as of February 11, 2025. The footfall is expected to increase further as the mela progresses, with more auspicious bathing dates lined up in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh's Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar elaborated on the arrangements made for the fifth snan -- Magh Purnima snan, in Mahakumbh, and said that the lessons were taken from the mishap that took place during Mauni Amavasya.

Further, he stated that the management technique of 'Build back better' was implemented and feedbacks from the community were also taken to ensure better arrangements for the devotees.

Speaking to ANI, the DGP said "This is the 5th snan of Maha Kumbh 2025... The Snan of Maha Shivratri will take place after this... A mishap took place on Mauni Amavasya. We learnt a lesson from it and implemented new techniques. There is a management technique of 'Build back better'...We took the community's feedback to improve ourselves and implemented new techniques."

Further, he said that 46 to 47 crore people have visited the Mahakumbh until now and more than 1.3 crore devotees took a dip on the Magh Purnima. (ANI)