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.
Shy Burhan 
Dr Jamilla Hussain
A workshop funded by a Dying Matters grant
Rubina Khalid