Pilgrims of more than 12 countries took the sacred bath in the Sangam of Prayagraj under the leadership of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, president Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh and founder, Ganga Action Parivar and Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, to mark the beginning of the Kumbh Mela on January 15.
Before the sacred bath, Pujya Swamiji led the pilgrims in clean-up programme on the banks of the sacred river to emphasise the beginning of Swachh Kumbh, a historic mela with a message.
"Kumbh is not an external exhibition, but is for internal self-discovery", he said.
Swamiji also spoke about the need to take care of our environment by keeping our sacred rivers and mother earth clean.
"If we want to take care of our future, our culture and nature need to go hand in hand," he said.
Sadhvi Bhagawatiji shared about the significance of Makar Sankranti, the day the sun returns to the northern hemisphere.
“On Makar Sankranti, we welcome the sun’s return to the northern hemisphere. As we welcome the sun (Surya) back to our cities, countries and our hemisphere, let’s not only be grateful for the return of the light and warmth of the external sun, but let us also remember to welcome our own internal light back. So many of us live in darkness — the darkness of ego, ignorance, anger and separation. On this day let us welcome back the light of our true divine Selves.”
From January 14 to 24 February 2019 Ganga Action Parivar & Global Interfaith WASH Alliance with Parmarth Niketan are hosting an eco-friendly, environmentally focused camp in the Kumbh Mela at Prayag Raj, Uttar Pradesh at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers.
Led by the guidance and blessing of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the Parmarth Niketan Kumbh Mela camp has daily divine activities.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)