UP: Over 1.3 Crore Devotees Take Holy Dip at Sangam on Mauni Amavasya Morning
Massive turnout at Magh Mela as pilgrims brave fog to bathe at Sangam extensive security and facilities in place
Prayagraj (UP), Jan 18: More than 1.3 crore devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga and at the Sangam by 8 am on Sunday to mark Mauni Amavasya, the most significant bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj, officials said.
Pilgrims began arriving at the ghats from midnight, undeterred by dense fog, and the inflow continued steadily through the early morning hours. The turnout surpassed previous bathing days, with around 1.03 crore devotees having bathed on Makar Sankranti and nearly 85 lakh on Ekadashi.
Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agrawal said extensive arrangements have been made to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims. Reflective tapes have been installed on poles across the mela area to aid navigation in low visibility, while civil defence volunteers are assisting devotees at key locations.
The Magh Mela, spread across nearly 800 hectares, has been divided into seven sectors. Over 25,000 toilets have been installed, and more than 3,500 sanitation workers are on duty to maintain hygiene. A tent city has also been developed for pilgrims and tourists opting for short-term Kalpvas, offering facilities for meditation and yoga.
To facilitate smooth movement within the mela area, services such as bike taxis and golf carts have been introduced.
Superintendent of Police (Magh Mela) Neeraj Pandey said more than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed for security, crowd control and traffic management. As many as 42 temporary parking zones, with a combined capacity of over one lakh vehicles, have been created this year.
He added that around 12,100 feet of bathing ghats have been constructed for the Magh Mela 2025-26, equipped with all essential facilities to handle the massive influx of devotees.
