Sangam of faith & tech as QR codes show devotees the way | Lucknow News – Times of India


SANGAM, PRAYAGRAJ: Amidst bone-chilling cold and intermittent rain, a group of young men gathered at Parade Ground in Sangam area – their whispered conversations disrupted the quiet as they focussed intently on a large billboard positioned at the edge of the crossroad.
Their smartphones were aimed at the display board featuring four QR codes, which served as a comprehensive digital directory for all the events at the Maha Kumbh that starts Monday with its inaugural significant bathing ceremony on Paush Purnima.
Ankit Kashyap from Raipur said: “This is the first time I have come to Prayagraj. We don’t know the exact locations, so we’re scanning these QR codes to help us get to our destinations.”
Sandeep Chauhan, a cop from Madhya Pradesh posted in Maha Kumbh Mela area, explained: “These user-friendly hoardings have been placed by the Yogi Adityanath govt at key locations for the convenience of devotees. One is for the Kumbh administration, another for emergency assistance, one for hotels and food, and the last one for achievements of the Uttar Pradesh govt.”A sizeable banner displayed photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, whilst the QR codes revealed the systematic management underpinning the Kumbh Mela.
The codes demonstrated how even minor activities, such as tent installation, demanded meticulous planning and execution.
Inside the Mela grounds, a heightened sense of alertness prevailed, whilst officers maintained vigilant surveillance through their monitors, observing all activities and movements with unwavering attention.
A day before Paush Purnima, the banks of the Sangam witnessed an overwhelming surge of faith on Sunday as lakhs of devotees — youth, elderly as well as children — gathered to take a holy dip in the sacred waters.
Braving icy winds and cold weather, hundreds of devotees performed sacred ablutions in the Ganga at 41 ghats on the eve of Paush Purnima as hectic last-minute preparations continued for the Maha Kumbh.
Immediately after the dip, the devotees layered themselves in winter clothing and sat near bonfires at tea and food stalls to protect themselves.
Talking to TOI, Ram Charan, a devotee from Maharashtra, said: “Since it will be too crowded on Mauni Amawasya and Makar Sankranti, we have decided to take a peaceful dip on Sunday itself. During the month of Magh, every day is sacred.”
Shivering after emerging out of the icy water at Dashashwamedh ghat in Daraganj area, he quipped, “Our enthusiasm and belief is way more than the cold we are experiencing here.”
At a time when most people took comfort in their cosy quilts, Akash Khurana from Chhattisgarh, just out of water, said, “Temperature changes as the day progresses. It is usually cold in the morning and in the evening, but out faith is unshakeable.”
Sudha Patel, who has travelled from Gujarat, said: “This is the first time I’m experiencing fog and biting cold. Though the Sun shone after 9am, it’s still considerably cold. But our faith keeps us afloat.”
As the dusk set in, several devotees continued their ritual bath at Sangam whilst the large gathering kept flocking to the riverbank.
Amist dazzling lights at night, some devotees offered ‘Deepdaan’ in the Ganga, by setting small boats made of paper or leaves and carrying earthen diyas on the river.
In the area around the ancient Beni Madhav temple and Shri Nagvasuki temple, some locals showered rose petals on devotees from their balconies.
Following intense cold, tea vendors were seen doing a brisk business. A tea vendor Mukesh Kumar said: “The cost of one cup of tea is Rs 10 and a special one Rs 20. I am earning around Rs 1,000 daily and expect sales to cross Rs 5,000 on main bathing days.”
On the ground, Prayagraj has taken a bridal makeover as it stands prepared for the magnificent event, with elaborate arrangements to host spiritual leaders, devotees, and visitors arriving from around the world. Many participants have already reached the city, united in their desire to immerse themselves in the spiritual atmosphere.
The city’s intersections have undergone significant enhancements, adorned with religious symbols including the ‘kalash’, conch shell, and different postures of ‘Surya Namaskar’. For effective crowd control, authorities have installed barricades at numerous junctions and tri-sections throughout the city. The light towers at Balson Chauraha in Prayagraj have become the talking point among devotees and shared widely on Instagram and Facebook.
The roads have aesthetic been enhanced through the strategic placement of thousands of seasonal plants and vertical gardens, creating a visually pleasing environment. Most of the roads leading to Sangam are dazzling with namaste signs and LED butterfly lights on electric poles.





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