The ninth Maha Kumbha Mela — the South Indian version of the Kumbha Mela at Allahabad — witnessed lakhs of devotees taking a holy dip at Tirumakudalu Narasipura, in T. Narasipura taluk this morning.

Today being the second day of the Kumbha Mela, religious rituals were held at Triveni Sangama, the confluence of three rivers Cauvery, Kapila and the mythical Sphatika Sarovara, a rivulet also known as Guptagamini.

The South Kumbha Mela, meant to provide an opportunity to the devout to participate in rituals during the given auspicious time as not everyone can make it to the Maha Kumbha in Allahabad, was held in the divine presence of Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, newly anointed Seer of Adichunchanagiri Mutt Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji and Sri Shivanandapuri Swamiji of Kaginele Kanakaguru Peeta.

Bangalore Akashavani News Editor Dr. T.C. Poornima and Prof. Vimalashri of Sarada Vilas Law College presented spiritual discourse on the occasion.

The venue of the special event is an island to which a walkway of sand bags has been created. Others take the coracles (called theppa in local parlance). Barricades have been erected around the deeper areas of the river, a result of excessive sand mining. The district administration has also deputed locally selected expert swimmers as lifeguards, who stood guard on the banks, wearing white t-shirts.

Crowds of devotees were seen taking holy dips in the Sangama, offering prayers at the Agasthyeshwara, Bhiksheshwara and Sri Gunja Narasimhaswamy temples.

The devotees savoured prasadam at the Anna Dasoha (mass feeding) at the Community Hall before returning to their places.

In order to avoid traffic jam at the venue, special tentative arrangements were made to park the buses and other vehicles about a kilometer away.

CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations, police watch towers erected, multiple information centers set up and special buses organised for the devotees.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore