Prayagraj, Jan 14: More than nine lakh devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga and at the Sangam on Wednesday morning as part of the ongoing Magh Mela 2026, officials said.
While Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh will observe the festival on Thursday, marking the second major bathing day of the Magh Mela.
Safety and Crowd Management
Superintendent of Police (Magh Mela) Neeraj Pandey said pilgrims thronged the ghats from early morning.
“By 6 am, over nine lakh devotees had taken a dip in the Ganga and at the Sangam. The number is expected to rise to between one crore and 1.5 crore by Wednesday evening on Makar Sankranti,” he added.
To manage the large influx, over 10,000 police personnel have been deployed, and 42 temporary parking facilities have been set up with a capacity for more than one lakh vehicles. A total of 12,100 feet-long bathing ghats have been constructed, equipped with changing rooms and toilets to facilitate devotees.
Officials also noted that 8,000 cusecs of water are being released daily from the Ganga Barrage in Kanpur to maintain adequate water levels for the holy dip.
Magh Mela 2026 Overview
The Magh Mela is a 44-day spiritual gathering held annually during the Hindu month of Magh (January–February) at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. The fair includes age-old traditions such as Kalpavas and the Panchkosi Parikrama.
During last year’s celebrations, over 31 lakh devotees took part in the Paush Purnima bath, and nearly 29 lakh pilgrims participated in the Magh Mela 2024-25 bathing rituals.
Key Bathing Dates for Magh Mela 2026
Jan 15: Makar Sankranti
Jan 18: Mauni Amavasya
Jan 23: Vasant Panchami
Feb 1: Maghi Purnima
Feb 15: Closing day
Magh Mela 2026 is being held from January 3 to February 15, attracting millions of devotees from across the country.