Lakhs of pilgrims take holy dip in Ganga

Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country and abroad today converged on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar to take holy dip in the river on the occasion of Chaitra Amavasya, the sixth major bath of the ongoing Ardhakumbh mela.
Devotees started gathering on the ghats, including Har ki Pauri, in the wee hours and at least six lakhs of them had taken bath in the river by the evening, mela administration said.
With 'Navratras' starting on April 18, devotees are expected to stay in the mela area over the next 10 days taking part in 'yajna' and other religious functions, mela official A Murugesan said.

Tight security arrangements have been made in the mela area with DIG G S Martolia, District Magistrate Harbans Chugh and SSP Senthil A Krishna Raj overseeing the security aspect on all the ghats.