In Uttar Pradesh above 3 crore pilgrims have taken holy dip till now on third and most important bathing festival of Mauni Amawasya of Maha Kumbh Mela at Allahabad.

Bathing is going on under tight security and lakhs of pilgrims are still on their way to holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati.

AIR correspondent reports that a sea of humanity is still gathered on the banks of Sangam. Devotees as well as ascetics and religious leaders of various orders and prominent religious leaders including Jagatguru Shankaracharya from Dwarka and Jyotish Peeth Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati and Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati from Puri Peeth took the holy dip.

All Sri Mahats and Peethadhishwars from all 13 Akharas and persons from different fields have taken holy dip on this occasion.

Elaborate security arrangements are in place and seven tier security arrangements have been made. Security measures have been taken from entry points of Allahabad district to bathing Ghats.

About 25 thousand security personnel from state police as well as Para military forces are deployed in and around the Mela area. Three choppers from India Air force have also been pressed into service for keeping vigil.

AIR Allahabad correspondent reports that two pilgrims including a woman were killed in an incident of stampede in the sector 12.

Sector Magistrate told our correspondent that both deceased have been identified and they were from Varanasi and Chaubis Paragana district in west Bengal.

He said incident occurred when rush of pilgrims suddenly increased on Sarsawti road in the sector.

AIR correspondent reports, devotees as well as ascetics and religious leaders of various orders have taken a holy dip on the occasion.

Several prominent religious leaders including Jagatguru Shankaracharya from Dwarka and Jyotish Peeth Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati and Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati from Puri Peeth, all Sri Mahants and Peethadhishwars from all 13 Akharas and persons from different fields have taken holy dip at Sangam.

Second Shahi Snan of Akharas has been completed. All 7 Sanyasi and 3 each Akharas from Bairagi and Udasin sects have returned to their respective camps after taking holy dip.

It was started with an impressive procession of Mahanirvani and Atal Akharas. Elaborate security arrangements are in place and seven tier security arrangements have been made to insure event free bathing.