Thousands join traditional holy bath at Langalband in Narayanganj
Tens of thousands of pilgrims from home and abroad have joined Mahatirtha Snanotsav, a traditional holy bath of Hindus, at Brahmaputra River at the three kilometre-long holy pilgrimage site of Langalband.
Pilgrims were participating in the ritual of self-purification by taking an Ashtami bath in the Brahmaputra River as the festival began at 2:08am on Saturday and will continue till 12:51am on Sunday.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury visited the site this morning. District administration and police officials were present.
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Extensive preparations were taken for ensuring safety of the pilgrims as 1,500 members of the law enforcement agencies were deployed while medical facilities, sufficient toilet facilities and pure water supply was also ensured, said Deputy Commissioner Md Zahidul Islam Miah.
He also said overall arrangements were made for smooth performance of the holy ritual.
After reciting mantras, pilgrims have been taking part in the bath with flowers, 'Bel' (wood apple) leaves, paddy, Durba (grass), Haritaki (Myrobalan), Dab (green coconut), and Amra-pallab (Mango leaves).
Immediately after the start of the holy Tithi, a stream of pilgrims descended on the Langalband area as the entire pilgrimage site on the bank of river Brahmaputra has been bustling with the footfall of thousands of pilgrims from different regions.
Authorities made arrangements for taking bath at 20 ghats – Nalit Mohan Sadhu Ghat, Annapurna Ghat, Rajghat, Makri Sadhu Ghat, Gandhi (Crematorium) Ghat, Bhadreshwari Kali Ghat, Joykali Mandir Ghat, Rajghat, Rakshakali Mandir Ghat, Pashan Kali Mandir Ghat, Premtala Ghat, Mani Rishipara Ghat, Brahma Mandir Ghat, Dakshineswari Ghat, Panchpandav Ghat and Paresh Mahatma Ashram Ghat.
A committee was formed to organise 'Mahatirtha Langalband Snanotsav'.
Joy K Roy Chowdhury Bappi, general secretary of the committee, said the district administration made special security measures this year compared to previous years.
