Prayagraj: The month-long Magh Mela 2026 began on Saturday with thousands of devotees taking a holy dip in the icy waters of the Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati—on the occasion of Paush Purnima. Pilgrims of all ages, including children and the elderly, participated in the ritual, braving freezing temperatures to seek blessings and spiritual cleansing.
The festival marks the start of Kalpavas, a period of austerity during which devotees bathe twice daily in the Ganga, eat only once a day, and devote their time to meditation and worship. Officials said that by 10 am on Saturday, around 9 lakh pilgrims had already taken the sacred dip.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his greetings to devotees via X, stating: “Salutations to Goddess Ganga! Congratulations and best wishes to all devotees and residents on the commencement of the Magh Mela and Paush Purnima. May Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna, and Mother Saraswati fulfil everyone’s wishes.”
Preparations and Pilgrim Facilities
Magh Mela authorities have constructed ten bathing ghats covering 10,000 square feet and set up nine pontoon bridges to facilitate smooth movement of devotees. A new township named Prayagwal, spread across 950 bighas, has been created exclusively for Kalpavasis, located opposite the Nagvasuki Temple.
According to Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agarwal, an estimated 20-30 lakh devotees are expected to take the holy dip during Paush Purnima. Acharya Rajendra Mishra, president of the Triveni Sangam Aarti Seva Samiti, said about 5 lakh pilgrims would begin their Kalpavas on Saturday alone, with numbers expected to grow as the day progresses.
Pilgrim Experiences
Many devotees expressed joy at being part of the holy occasion. Kalyani Nand Giri of the Kinnar Akhada, participating in Kalpavas for the first time, urged everyone to take a dip and receive blessings, noting the crowd resembled a Kumbh Mela.
Visitors like Pooja Jha from Kolkata and Shivani Mishra from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, appreciated the relatively smaller morning crowd, which allowed for a calmer and more comfortable experience.
Key Dates for Magh Mela 2026
Besides Paush Purnima, major bathing events this year include:
- Makar Sankranti – January 14
- Mauni Amavasya – January 18
- Basant Panchami – January 23
- Maghi Purnima – February 1
- Mahashivratri – February 15
With the holy dips underway and thousands already participating, the Magh Mela 2026 promises a month of devotion, spirituality, and cultural celebration at Prayagraj.
