The Magh Kumbh Mela 2014, one of the greatest annual religious affairs for Hindus has begun in Allahabad with thousands thronging the city everyday to witness the grand event. The Magh Kumbh Mela, a mini version of the Maha Kumbh Mela commences every year on Makkar Sankranti (14th January this year) which is the first important bathing day according to the Hindu calendar. Kumbh is held at one of the four places, i.e. Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayag), Nashik and Ujjain, by rotation every third year. This year the Magh Kumbh Mela 2014 is being held in Allahabad and will last till the end of February.
Here’s a look at the weather in Allahabad on another very auspicious day of the Kumbh Mela, the Mauni Amavasaya (30th January).
Weather wise it has been a tough winter and an even tougher January for the entire Uttar Pradesh, with most parts witnessing extreme cold day conditions and maximums below 16⁰C due to dense fog cover, coupled with heavy rain and clouding.
Allahabad particularly saw maximums settle between 14⁰C to 18⁰C from the 10th January to the 21st of January and the coldest daytime recorded was 14.7⁰C on the 14th of January. However, the minimums in the city were seen settling between 9⁰C to 12⁰C on an average and the coldest night was witnessed on the 8th of January when the morning minimum was recorded 6.8⁰C.
The Kumbh Mela 2014 began on a chilly and rainy note, with the city recording over 40 mm of rain from the 14th of January onwards. The heaviest rain recorded (30 mm) was on the 17th of January.
“In the absence of a weather system (Western Disturbance in the hills of North India), the temperatures in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Allahabad has seen a gradual rise in the last five days, both in the maximums and minimums. Skies have become clear and the afternoons are now comfortable and sunny, however pockets of central and eastern Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow and Kanpur) are still witnessing cold day conditions”, said a senior weather official at Skymet Weather.
Therefore those wanting to take a dip in the Ganges on Mauni Amavasya before sunrise should be careful of the cold. But for those who will bathe in the afternoon will feel comfortable as the sun could be bright.
The maximum temperature in Allahabad was 20.4⁰C yesterday (26th January) while, the minimum temperature was 9.4⁰C today morning. On the 30th of January, the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to settle around 21⁰C and 12⁰C respectively.
Mauni Amavasya is a pious day on which Manu rishi appeared in this world millions of years ago. And it is believed that on this day when the universe was created. The day observes the largest gathering of people to acquire good karma by bathing in the holy Ganges.
Photo by blog.reuters.
