"This is an electrifying moment," said a visibly elated 75-year-old Mokshanand from Vrindavan, who said he this was his seventh Kumbh in a row.
Several rows of sand bags have been piled up on the three-km 'bathing stretch', said Mani Prasad Misra, the 'mela adhikari', in-charge of Kumbh 2013.
Misra told IANS that arrangements had been made to ensure that the Ganges flowed "well and clean" during the major bathing days. A special team of 10,000 sweepers have been pressed into service to keep the area clean.
"Deep water barricading has been done and an extensive presence of 'jal' police has also been pressed into service to avoid mishaps," Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Law & Order Arun Kumar told IANS.
