Magh Mela 2026, the great festival of faith, has started in full grand form on the banks of confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati in Prayagraj. Along with the first bathing festival of Paush Purnima, lakhs of devotees started the fair by taking a holy dip in the Sangam. Despite the severe cold and dense fog, the faith of the devotees did not weaken and from Brahma Muhurta in the morning itself, a flood of devotees gathered on the banks of Sangam. This year, the administration has already made extensive preparations for Magh Mela, so that crores of devotees coming from India and abroad do not face any inconvenience.
The administration estimates that 12 to 15 crore devotees will take bath in the Sangam during the entire fair, while more than 25 lakh people are expected to arrive on the first bathing festival itself. Amidst the rare religious coincidences, beginning of Kalpvas and tight security arrangements, Magh Mela 2026 seems to be a wonderful confluence of reverence, system and faith.
Also read: On which day will Purnima be celebrated, 3 or 4 January? See Vedic Muhurta here
What are the arrangements of the fair?
A total of 12 to 15 crore devotees are expected to come and take bath in the Magh Mela which lasts for one and a half month. For the convenience of the devotees, the Irrigation Department has made arrangements to release sufficient water into the Ganga. Extensive arrangements for roads, drinking water and electricity have been made in the fair area. For smooth movement inside the fair, temporary roads have been laid, hundreds of kilometers long water and sewer lines have been laid and many temporary sub-stations have been installed for power supply.
Read also: Ugratara Temple: The place where the Ugra form of Goddess Parvati is worshipped.
Hospital arrangements have been made in the fair
Special attention has also been given to health facilities. Two big hospitals of 20 beds each have been built in the fair area, 12 primary health centers and 2 health centers have been opened. Ayurvedic and homeopathic hospitals are also present. 50 ambulances will be continuously deployed to deal with emergencies.
The fair is spread over 800 hectares
This time the area of Magh Mela has been kept bigger than before. The fair has been established by creating seven sectors in an area of about 800 hectares. 16500 toilets, 8 thousand dustbins and 3 thousand sweepers have been deployed for cleanliness. Parking arrangements have been made for the vehicles of devotees at more than 40 places around the city and the fair area.
Strict arrangements made for security
The administration is completely alert from security point of view also. 17 police stations and 42 police posts have been set up in the fair area. 20 fire stations, watch towers and fire brigade vehicles are deployed to prevent fire. Along with water police, divers have also been deployed. Hundreds of CCTV cameras have been installed to control the crowd, many of which are equipped with AI technology.
Major baths of Magh Mela
This time there will be a total of six major bathing festivals in Magh Mela. These include bathing starting from Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima and finally Mahashivratri. The fair will conclude with a bath on the day of Mahashivratri.
Officials gave information
Officials say that all arrangements have been completed for the convenience and safety of the devotees. According to the administration, till now the bathing is going on in a peaceful and orderly manner. People are not facing any problem in commuting, staying and bathing. In view of the cold, arrangements have also been made for night shelters, bonfires and blankets. Overall, Magh Mela 2026 seems fully prepared in terms of faith, order and security.
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