SANGAM February 05, 2014:  Around 55 lakhs devotees took holy dip in the Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchmi, on Tuesday. The pleasant weather conditions and proper arrangements made by mela authorities added to the festive spirit of devotees who visited the Sangam on the auspicious day.

The day was also celebrated by offering prayers to Goddess Saraswati at homes and various organisations in the city.

Under the watchful eyes of the Jal police, large numbers of devotees took holy dip at 12 ghats made by the mela authorities. The ghats, which were barricaded for safety of pilgrims, witnessed large influx of devotees from early morning. Many devotees continued to throng the ghats till late evening.

Before daybreak on Tuesday, majority of devotees hailing from rural background, walking bare-foot and clad in traditional attire started arriving at the ghats. Magh Mela in-charge and SP, crime, AK Pandey told. "Around 55 lakhs devotees took holy dip in the Sangam till 5 pm amidst heavy police bandobast."

Heavy police consignment including 2 ASPs, 6 DSPs, 12 inspectors, 137 sub-inspectors, 50 ATS commandos, 2,000 constables along with PAC, RAF and mounted police personnel were deployed to manage crowd on the day.

Besides, 19 CCTVs and six Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) were also pressed into service to turn the entire mela area into a fortress. Pandey, further said that no untoward incident was reported and snan of Basant Panchami passed off peacefully.

The mela organisers had also set up 55 toilets, 2 medical centres, 21 ambulances, 7,000 street lights, 50 kilometres of temporary roads, 6 bridges, and seven zero discharge toilets at the mela area for devotees.

The mela authorities also united a total of 5468 persons who had got separated from their families during the mela rush.

Small children dressed in lord Shiva, Parvati, Janki attracted the crowd. A section of devotees also organised bhandara on the occasion.

The day was enjoyed equally by the elderly and youths alike as large number of youngsters were also seen at ghats, enjoying the day out with their family and friends. "We wanted to come on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya but because of the extreme cold conditions on the day we had to cancel our visit. But on Tuesday the weather was pleasant and we decided to come and seek blessings of the Ganga on the auspicious day," said Shalini, a devotee from Handia.

The devotees were seen offering water to the Sun God and performing aarti.