Magh Mela 2026 Begins At Prayagraj, Devotees Brave Biting Cold For Holy Dip

Prayagraj: Magh Mela 2026, the great festival of faith, has been grandly inaugurated on the confluence banks of Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati in Prayagraj. Despite the severe cold, on the first bathing festival of Paush Purnima, a huge crowd of devotees gathered on the banks of Sangam.

Devotees started taking a dip of faith from Brahma Muhurta itself and the process of worshiping Mother Ganga started. According to the administration's estimate, about 25 lakh devotees will take bath in the Sangam on the first Snan festival alone. As soon as the Purnima Tithi started at 3 am in the morning, an atmosphere of religious joy and devotion was visible in the entire fair area.

How was the view of the Sangam banks on the first Snan festival?

All the roads leading to Sangam were filled with devotees since morning darkness. Despite the cold, people's enthusiasm for bathing was clearly visible. Along with the saints and sages, common devotees were also seen standing in queues and taking bath in the Sangam. After bathing, the aarti and chanting of Mother Ganga kept echoing on the ghats.

Why is the rare coincidence of Kalpavas after 75 years special?

This year, after 75 years, a rare auspicious coincidence is taking place in Magh Mela. From Paush Purnima, lakhs of devotees are taking the pledge of Kalpavas and starting their one month stay on the banks of Sangam. According to the fair administration, 20 to 25 lakh Kalpavasis will remain engrossed in rigorous penance, restraint and meditation for an entire month.

How many devotees are expected to attend the entire Magh Mela?

The total duration of Magh Mela is about 44 days. During this period, it is estimated that 12 to 15 crore devotees will take bath in the Sangam. The number of devotees increases manifold on major bathing festivals, keeping in view which the administration has already made extensive preparations.

What arrangements have been made for basic facilities in the fair area?

The fair complex spread over an area of ​​approximately 800 hectares has been organized into seven sectors. The Public Works Department has laid 160 kilometers of checkered plate. UP Jal Nigam has laid 242 km drinking water line and 85 km sewer line. 25 temporary electrical sub-stations have been established for power supply.

What arrangements have been made regarding health facilities?

For the convenience of the devotees, two big hospitals have been built in the fair area, which have a provision of 20 beds each. Apart from this, 12 primary health centers, two health centres, five Ayurvedic hospitals, and five homeopathic hospitals have been opened. 50 ambulances have been deployed to deal with any emergency.

How much emphasis has been given to cleanliness and hygiene?

Around 16,500 toilets, 8,000 dustbins, more than 10 lakh liner bags and 30 suction machines have been installed in the mela area. Around 3,000 sanitation workers have been deployed to maintain cleanliness throughout the fair.

How have the security arrangements been strengthened?

17 police stations, 42 posts, seven fire posts and 20 fire tenders have been deployed in the fair area. Crowd management and monitoring is being done through more than 400 AI enabled CCTV cameras. Eight kilometer deep water barricading and trained divers have been arranged in the water area.

What information did the administration give regarding the arrangements?

Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Soumya Aggarwal said that the fair area is being constantly monitored and feedback is being taken by directly communicating with the devotees. According to her, from the feedback received so far, it is clear that the arrangements are satisfactory and other facilities including bathing are running without any interruption. District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said that adequate arrangements have been made at all the ghats. Devotees are able to take bath easily and there have been no complaints of any kind of disorder.

#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal says, "We talked to all the devotees who have come here and they told us that they are happy with the arrangements and they are conveniently offering prayers and doing 'snaan'... We have made all possible… https://t.co/AYQx0V1IS0 pic.twitter.com/2Ws4NnwSBH

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026

When will the major bathing festivals take place in Magh Mela 2026?

A total of six major bathing festivals have been decided for Magh Mela 2026. It has started with the bathing of Paush Purnima. After this, there will be big bathing festivals on Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami. Another major bath will take place on Maghi Purnima, while the Magh Mela will formally conclude with the bath on Mahashivratri.