SANGAM: The Magh mela police, on Monday, reviewed the security arrangements in and around the mela campus ahead of the Basant Panchami snan scheduled on Tuesday.
The police further claimed that the majority of the crowd of devotees who would be taking a holy dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami would include Kalpwasis and devotees staying in tents as well as seers and saints while the rest of the crowd comprises locals and devotees from neighbouring towns like Mirzapur, Rewa, Pratapgarh, Kaushambi etc, who have already flocked Allahabad for the holy dip.
Around 50 lakh pilgrims and devotees, especially from city areas, are expected to take holy dip on Tuesday.
The mela police administration has intensified security vigil and issued special assignments to quick reaction teams, commandos and para-military forces for the snan day.
Apart from special task force and anti-terrorist squad (ATS) personnel, bomb diffusal squad, anti-mines squad and intelligence officials also checked the ghats where devotees would take bath on Tuesday.
Astrologers say that Vasant Panchami is referred to as Saraswati Puja/Shree Panchami, or the Basant Festival of Kites which falls on the fifth day of Magha (in early February) month of Hindu calendar.
The festival also marks the start of spring and Holi season. On this day Hindus worship Saraswati Devi, the goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture.
Deputy SP, Magh Mela, Neeti Dwivedi told TOI, “The Mela police have made adequate security arrangements for the day”.
She further added that the mela police have also increased the strength of checking points in and around the mela campus to ensure no problems arise.