Prayagraj: Devotees gather to take a holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Monday, March 4, 2019.
Mahashivratri marks the culmination of the Kumbh and the prominent bathing days. The day symbolises the last holy bath of the Kalpvasis and is directly related to Lord Shiva. According to mythology, it is the day Lord Shiva got married and hence is eagerly awaited by his followers, who worship him.
And this time Mahashivratri is falling on a Monday – the day dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is falling after a long time.
The Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, held in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad from January 15 on Makar Sakranti to March 4 this year.
Prayagraj: Devotees offer prayer at a temple on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Monday, March 4, 2019. 
In the Kumbh held in Sangam city, there were six bathing dates. Of these, shahi snaans were held on occasions of Makar Sankranti (January 15), Mauni Amawasya (February 4) and Basant Panchami (February 10).
Apart from this, 'parv snaans have been held on the occasion of Paush Poornima (January 21) and Maghi Poornima (February 19).
Prayagraj: Devotees offer prayer and take holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Monday, March 4, 2019.
Elaborate arrangements have been made by administration for the last bathing ritual of the Kumbh, which expects around one crore devotees at the mega event held at the Sangam.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has also geared up for a seamless and incident-free Kumbh, spread over 3,200 hectare land in Sangam city.
Prayagraj: Devotees offer prayer and take holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Monday, March 4, 2019.
The entire Kumbh Mela area has been demarcated into nine zones and 20 sectors with the deployment of over 20,000 police personnel, 6,000 homeguards, 40 police stations, 58 outposts, 40 fire stations, 80 companies of central force and 20 companies of PAC, the police said.
With a view to counter any terrorist activity, Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) commandoes, anti-sabotage commandoes with snipers, bomb disposal units, sniffer dog squads and intelligence units have also been pressed into service, they said.
Prayagraj: Devotees gather to take a holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Monday, March 4, 2019.
The Kumbh draws lakhs of pilgrims over the course of approximately 55 auspicious days to bathe at the Sangam. It is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years.
(With PTI Inputs)
