Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand claimed that during the Prayagraj Magh Mela on Mauni Amavasya, the state administration prevented him from reaching the Sangam Ghat. He mentioned that police personnel obstructed his path, leading him and his followers to return to their Akhara without taking the holy dip. The Shankaracharya stated that his palanquin was stopped midway, alleging that senior police officials even mistreated his disciples.
Expressing disappointment with how the situation was handled by the state administration, Swami Avimukteshwaranand decided not to proceed further and forgo the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. He criticized the authorities for the treatment meted out to saints during the event. Despite the incident, he supported the administration’s decision and instructed his followers to return as they were being prevented from continuing the ritual.
Mauni Amavasya, a significant bathing day during the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj, attracts a large number of saints and devotees. Despite the cold weather and dense fog, pilgrims flocked to the Sangam Ghat early Sunday morning to participate in the ritual. Strict security and traffic measures were in place to ensure the safety and smooth movement of the devotees, with NDRF and SDRF teams deployed along with surveillance through CCTV cameras and drones.
Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal reported that around fifty lakh devotees had taken the holy dip at various ghats since the previous evening. She mentioned that despite the larger-than-expected crowd, arrangements were made for a smooth bathing process. District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma noted that the main bathing ritual of Mauni Amavasya proceeded peacefully, with devotees bathing continuously for over six hours without any disruptions.
