Prayagraj, Jan 3: The much-awaited Magh Mela 2026 commenced on Saturday at the sacred Sangam in Prayagraj, with lakhs of devotees arriving to take the first holy dip on Paush Purnima. This 44-day-long religious congregation, held at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati, will continue until February 15, 2026, concluding on Maha Shivratri.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, extended his best wishes for the event. He posted on X, "Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all devotees and residents of the state on the auspicious commencement of the Magh Mela and the sacred Paush Purnima." He also greeted the saints, religious leaders, akhadas, and kalpwasis arriving in Tirtharaj Prayag, praying that the holy waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati fulfill everyone’s wishes.
The Magh Mela is regarded as one of the most important spiritual events in the Sanatan tradition. Devotees, saints, seers, and Kalpavasis from across the country have already begun arriving in large numbers. A key feature of the Mela is the Kalpavas, during which participants live on the riverbanks for a month, following strict religious practices such as daily baths, prayers, meditation, and charity. Over 25 lakh Kalpavasis are expected to partake in the event this year.
The district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth operations during the mela. These include temporary settlements, pontoon bridges, sanitation facilities, medical camps, and uninterrupted water and power supply across the mela area. From the early hours of Saturday, visuals from the Sangam showed devotees eagerly participating in the ritual bath amid heightened religious fervour.
Security measures have been significantly enhanced for Magh Mela 2026. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) divers have been deployed at key bathing ghats. Additionally, more than 400 AI-enabled CCTV cameras and drone surveillance systems are being used for continuous monitoring. Specialized units such as the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) are also present, along with additional police forces for crowd control and traffic management.
Ahead of the first Snan Parv (holy bathing day), Additional Police Commissioner Ajay Pal Sharma stated, "Today is the first major bathing festival of Magh Mela 2026. For area surveillance, drones, AI-enabled cameras, and AI-based systems have been deployed, ensuring continuous monitoring. Our traffic and security teams are stationed on the ground to ensure smooth movement."
Throughout the Magh Mela, six major bathing festivals will take place on January 3, January 14, January 18, January 23, February 1, and February 15. The Magh Mela 2026 promises to be a vibrant celebration of India’s spiritual heritage, supported by extensive administrative planning and modern security arrangements.
