More than nine lakh devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga and at the Sangam here by Wednesday morning as part of Makar Sankranti festivities, officials said.
While many parts of the country are observing the harvest festival on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh will celebrate Makar Sankranti on Thursday, which also marks the second major bathing festival of the ongoing Magh Mela.
Superintendent of Police (Magh Mela) Neeraj Pandey said devotees began arriving at the ghats in the early hours.
“By 6 am, over nine lakh devotees had taken a dip in the Ganga and at the Sangam. The number of pilgrims is expected to rise to between one crore and 1.5 crore by Wednesday evening on the occasion of Makar Sankranti,” Pandey said.
To manage the massive influx of pilgrims, over 10,000 police personnel have been deployed across the mela area to ensure security and smooth traffic movement.
Officials said more than 31 lakh devotees took a holy dip during the Paush Purnima bathing festival this year, while 28.95 lakh pilgrims participated in the Paush Purnima bath during Magh Mela 2024.
Magh Mela Officer Rishiraj said that 42 temporary parking facilities have been set up this year with the capacity to accommodate over one lakh vehicles, helping ease congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow.
He added that a total of 12,100 feet-long bathing ghats have been constructed for Magh Mela 2025–26, equipped with basic facilities such as changing rooms and toilets.
To maintain adequate water levels in the Ganga during the fair, 8,000 cusecs of water are being released daily from the Ganga barrage in Kanpur, officials said.
The 44-day-long Magh Mela, held annually during the Hindu month of Magh (January–February), takes place at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
Magh Mela Prayagraj 2026 is being held from January 3 to February 15 and is marked by several age-old traditions, including Kalpavas and the Panchkosi Parikrama.
Key bathing dates for the Magh Mela include January 15 (Makar Sankranti), January 18 (Mauni Amavasya), January 23 (Vasant Panchami), February 1 (Maghi Purnima) and February 15 (Maha Shivratri).
