Thousands of devotees on Monday plunged into the river Ganges at the ongoing Kumbh Mela, on the occasion of ' Magh Purnima'.
During this day, elated Hindu monks and pilgrims take holy dip in Ganges to wash away their sins and make offerings to the gods.
The holy dip began in early morning hours at around 4.00 am and swarms of people continued to come in batches for the royal bath.
Special security arrangements were made on the premises of the Mela and policemen stepped up the vigil in the aftermath of the recent twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad.
"As far as security is concerned, we have as much security personnel as we had during Basant Panchami. About 9000 personnel are deployed here at the venue of the fair. All the anti sabotage check teams and sniffer dog teams are moving around the river banks and conducting routine checking," said Alok Sharma, inspector general of police of Allahabad zone.
Apart from the regular devotees and ascetics who are a common feature at every edition of the Kumbh Mela, large number of people from western countries also visited the Kumbh Mela.
"We are so great to be here because this is the holy day and it is amazing, you know, to be with all the Indian people here. We are very happy here and the spectacle is fantastic, very beautiful," said Andrea, a visitor from Italy.
The Kumbh, which falls after every 12 years, began this year at Allahabad January 14. It is set to conclude March 10, Maha Shivratri day.
