Go to :  Index File

Dip in Ganga and prayers mark Baishakhi celebrations

     Haridwar: Thousands of devotees took a dip at holy sites along the Ganga on Wednesday on the occasion of Baisakhi. After the initial prayers devotees thronged the river banks at Varanasi and Haridwar for a dip meant to cleanse and purify their souls. Legend says the Ganga has flown from heaven to the earth to wash away the worldly sins of mankind. "This is a royal bath and during this day we make offerings and everybody prays for peace at home. Today, there is bath of Ardh Kumbh (pitcher festival) also. So maximum number of pilgrims come here," said Ram Singh, a pilgrim. Utpal Kumar Singh, the fair officer, said more that half a million pilgrims took a dip in the holy Ganga. "The royal bath started at midnight and by this time more than 5,00,000 pilgrims have taken a dip," said Singh. Hindus consider a bath at Varanasi, one of the holy spots along the Ganga's 2,000-km journey from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, an auspicious beginning for a new year. In Varanasi, both Hindus and Sikhs prayed for the new year. "On this day both Hindus and Sikhs together take a dip. It's a very auspicious day," said Singh. Situated between the two tributaries of the Ganga - Varuna to the north and Asi to the south - according to Hindu mythology, Varanasi has attained immortality.
- April 13, 2004