Prayagraj, Jan 14: More than nine lakh devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga and at the Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday morning as part of the Makar Sankranti festivities during the ongoing Magh Mela, officials said.
Superintendent of Police (Magh Mela) Neeraj Pandey said pilgrims began arriving at the ghats early in the 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,” he said.
While several parts of the country are observing Makar Sankranti on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh will mark the festival on Thursday. Makar Sankranti is the second major bathing festival of the 44-day-long Magh Mela.
To manage the massive influx of devotees, over 10,000 police personnel have been deployed across the mela area to ensure security and smooth traffic movement, officials said.
Authorities said more than 31 lakh devotees participated in the Paush Purnima bathing festival this year, while 28.95 lakh pilgrims took a holy dip during Paush Purnima at Magh Mela 2024.
Magh Mela officer Rishiraj said 42 temporary parking facilities with capacity for over one lakh vehicles have been created. He added that 12,100 feet-long bathing ghats equipped with changing rooms and toilets have been constructed for Magh Mela 2025-26.
To maintain adequate water levels, 8,000 cusecs of water are being released daily from the Ganga barrage at Kanpur. The Magh Mela, held at the Triveni Sangam, will continue till February 15, with key ‘snan’ dates including January 15, January 18, January 23, February 1 and February 15.
