Mon Feb 03 07:29:23 IST 2025: ## Millions to Take Holy Dip in Prayagraj for Mahakumbh’s Basant Panchami Amrit Snan
**Prayagraj, India (January 31, 2025)** – Millions of devotees are expected to converge in Prayagraj today, February 3rd, 2025, for the third “Amrit Snan” (holy bath) of the Mahakumbh Mela, coinciding with Basant Panchami. This auspicious day, also celebrated as the festival of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and arts, holds immense religious significance.
The Amrit Snan, considered highly purifying, is believed to absolve devotees of their sins. This year’s Basant Panchami Amrit Snan is particularly significant as the day is considered an “abuja muhurat” (auspicious time), allowing for the performance of auspicious acts without the need for specific astrological calculations. Devotees believe partaking in the ritual brings success and spiritual merit.
The auspicious bathing time begins at 9:14 AM on February 2nd, 2025, and concludes at 6:52 AM on February 3rd. The Brahma Muhurta (the most sacred time for bathing), falls between 5:24 AM and 6:16 AM on February 3rd. Other auspicious timings, including the Labh Kaal, Amrit Kaal, and Shubh Kaal, also fall within this period.
The ritual involves observing the bathing of Sadhus (holy men) before taking a dip, followed by a purification process using sacred water. Specific mantras are chanted during the bathing process. Devotees then offer prayers to the five principal deities (Panchadev) and donate to the needy.
A specific schedule has been set for the various Akharas (religious orders) to perform their ritual bathing at the Sangam (confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers). The schedule begins with the Sanyasi Akharas at 5:00 AM and concludes with the Udasin Akharas at 2:25 PM. The exact timings for each Akhara’s ritual bathing have been announced. The event is expected to draw immense crowds, and authorities are making arrangements for smooth conduct and crowd management.
First Piper 