The annual Magh Mela 2026 has begun at the sacred Sangam in Prayagraj, with devotees participating in the first holy dip on the occasion of Paush Purnima. This 44-day religious gathering, situated at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, will run until February 15, 2026, concluding on Maha Shivratri.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended his best wishes for the event. He expressed congratulations and good wishes to all devotees and residents of the state on the auspicious start of the Magh Mela and Paush Purnima. The Chief Minister also welcomed saints, religious leaders, akhadas, and kalpwasis who have gathered at Tirtharaj Prayag for the holy dip.
The Magh Mela holds significant spiritual importance in the Sanatan tradition and attracts saints, seers, Kalpavasis, and pilgrims from all over the country. A key feature of the mela is Kalpavas, where devotees follow strict religious practices like daily bathing, prayer, meditation, and charity while residing on the riverbanks. This year, over 25 lakh Kalpavasis are expected to participate.
Visuals from the Sangam on Saturday showed a large number of devotees performing the ritual bath with heightened religious fervor. The district administration has made elaborate arrangements, including temporary settlements, pontoon bridges, sanitation facilities, medical camps, and uninterrupted water and power supply to ensure the smooth running of the mela.
Security measures for Magh Mela 2026 have been significantly enhanced, with the deployment of NDRF and SDRF divers at key bathing ghats. More than 400 AI-enabled CCTV cameras and drone surveillance systems are in place for continuous monitoring. Special units like the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) have also been mobilized for crowd control and traffic management.
