ALLAHABAD, INDIA, June 10, 2012 (India Times): To offer adequate facilities to hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and devotees during Mahakumbh, the flood control unit of the irrigation department has started construction of permanent ghats (steps) on the banks of the Ganga and the Yamuna. Officials added that five permanent ghats — Kila, Boat Club, Arail, Balua and Bargad — would be constructed ahead of Mahakumbh.
These ghats have been designed as per modern structure which will have well-designed bathing spots for lakhs of pilgrims. Similarly, the beautification of ghats would also be done on priority basis. “It is expected that more than 5-6 hundred thousand pilgrims will take bath everyday at Sangam during Mahakumbh and for that, adequate bathing space is needed,” said an official.
As per astrologers, the Kumbh Mela is held when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. Kumbh (Kumbha means pot) Mela (fair) is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage. The Purna Kumbh Mela will be held at Sangam from January 27 next year. The Prayag (Allahabad) Kumbh Mela is the largest of all Kumbh and believed to be the most auspicious. On important bathing dates, millions of pilgrims take bath on the banks of the Sangam. The Purna (complete) Kumbh or Maha Kumbh, the biggest and the most auspicious fair, falls once every 12 years.