Prayagraj, Jan. 15 -- Thousands of devotees took a holy dip here at the Sangam -- the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati rivers -- on Tuesday morning, on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and marking the onset of the Kumbh Mela.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged devotees to participate in the Kumbh Mela, which is organised at a much wider scale this year than its previous editions, to witness India's spiritual, cultural and social diversities.
Elaborate security arrangements were in place and pontoon bridges have been constructed to lead the visitors to the 5-km bathing ghat at Sangam.
Security personnel have been deployed at all entry and exit points of these bridges to maintain law and order.
Soon ...