Devotees celebrate ‘Maha Kumbh’ in Ganderbal.

Ganderbal, Nov 22 : Hindus throughout India celebrated the ‘Maha Kumbh’ at Prayagraj Mandir Narayanbagh, Wayil, Kheerbawani area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

A large number of devotees migrant Kashmiri pandits and hindus celebrated maha kumbh at Sangam (confluence), which has always been sacred to the local pandit community for the immersion of the ashes of their dead.

A group of hindus who participated in the event told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the Maha Kumbh is the configuration of the 10 celestial bodies including the sun, and has great religious sanctity according to Hindu mythology.

“Maha Kumbh is an event that the devotees could not miss and that is why we have come in such large numbers to be part of this auspicious occasion,” they said.

Sheri Newass from Andhra Pardesh said at this confluence of Jhelum river and Sind stream Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years and Ardh Kumbh every six years.

He said that a 12-hour long ‘Havan’ (offerings to fire) was started on Sunday at Sangam and will end on Tuesday.

“On this day, the devotees take a bath at the holy Sangam to wash away their sins and then proceed to the little island at the confluence where a Chinar tree has been growing since long,” he said, adding that at least 50 to 60 devotees took a dip in river Sind at the said place.

“This little piece of land at the confluence is the sanctum sanctorum of the holy place. Devotees offer water to the Shivling on this island. After the Havan, the devotees will take ‘Prasad’ and distribute it among their near and dear ones back home,” said Newas.

This is the first time since the migration of local Pandits from the Valley that they have come in such large numbers to be part of the Maha Kumbh at Wayil, Shadipora Sangam—(KNO)