Devotees throng Sangam for Ganga Dussehra snan
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Prayagraj: Amid elaborate security arrangements, thousands of devotees and pilgrims on Thursday took holy dip in Sangam and other ghats on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, one of the most significant Hindu festivals.
Devotees from city, neighbouring districts and adjoining states, including MP, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, arrived at Ganga ghats to earn punya and perform rituals.
Noted religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour told TOI, "Ganga Dussehra marks the sacred occasion when Goddess Ganga descended on earth."
He added, "The day also holds immense religious and spiritual importance among devotees who reach the river Ganga ghats to take a holy dip and perform rituals.
This day is regarded as a propitious occasion to pay tribute to Goddess Ganga."
As per Hindu scriptures, it is believed that on Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Jyeshtha month, Goddess Ganga descended to earth.
Witnessing crowd of devotees and pilgrims flocking Sangam and other Ganga ghats, police took help of drones to maintain strict surveillance. Drones also helped police manage traffic. They were assigned duties at all static points and traffic near the Sangam was diverted to prevent jam-like situations.
A devotee from Gwalior, Usha, said, "It's a pious moment to take a holy dip in Sangam and earn the blessings of Ganga." Devotees of all age groups, men and women, arrived at Ganga ghats in groups. Sasaram resident Pushkar Tiwari said, "We covered a long distance with the intention to take holy dip." Personnel of 42nd battalion of PAC saved a Madhya Pradesh woman from drowning near Hanuman Ghat.
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