50 lakh pilgrims take holy dip in Ganga on 'Baisakhi'

Bathing ghats in Rishikesh and the city along the Ganga were teeming with devotees on the occasion of 'Baisakhi' as about 50 lakh pilgrims, including foreigners, took holy dip today.

DIG Kumbh Mela Alok Sharma said about 50 lakh pilgrims took bath in the bathing ghats of the river.

There was no untoward incident in any part of the vast Kumbh Mela ground.

Considering the huge rush of pilgrims for the last royal bath of 'Mesh Sankranti' tomorrow, the administration has made elaborate security and traffic arrangements.

25 companies of PAC, 20 companies of RPF, 10 companies of RAF and ITBP have been deployed along with contingents of state police at the mela area.

The Har-Ki-Pauri area would remain reserved for sadhus belonging to various Akharas from 0900hrs onwards tomorrow.

The three-month-long religious congregation would draw to a close on April 28.

Meanwhile, authorities have announced a three-day holiday for the schools within the Mela area, official sources said.