Devotees turned out in large numbers across Uttar Pradesh on Saturday as the Magh Mela 2026 commenced with the first holy dip on the occasion of Paush Purnima.
In Ayodhya, pilgrims gathered at the banks of the Sarayu River from the early hours of the day, chanting hymns and offering prayers as they performed the sacred ritual bath.
At Prayagraj, thousands of devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati—to take part in the auspicious ‘snan’. Saints and seers described the Magh Mela as a deeply sacred religious congregation, highlighting its spiritual significance.
“During the Magh Mela, devotees come to seek purification, spiritual upliftment and divine blessings. A holy dip during this period is believed to cleanse sins, purify the soul and bestow divine grace,” a sadhu said. Another seer remarked that the sanctity of the Magh Mela is equivalent to that of the Mahakumbh.
Pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the local administration. “Devotees have arrived in large numbers. Proper security measures are in place and the facilities are very good,” a devotee said.
District Magistrate Manish Kumar Varma said the event was proceeding smoothly. “All arrangements are in place and devotees are bathing at all ghats without any inconvenience. Movement in and out of the Sangam Kshetra is easy, and people are performing the ritual bath peacefully,” he said.
Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal echoed similar sentiments, stating that devotees were happy with the facilities provided. “We have interacted with pilgrims and they have expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. They are comfortably offering prayers and performing ‘snan’. The situation remains normal,” she said.
Officials added that a steady inflow of pilgrims is expected in the coming days as the Magh Mela progresses.
Held at the sacred Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, the Magh Mela is one of India’s largest annual religious gatherings. The pilgrimage is named after the Hindu month of Magh, which usually falls between January and February.
The 45-day-long Prayag Magh Mela begins on Paush Purnima and concludes on Mahashivaratri, spanning the entire month of Magh. The mela opens with the ritual bath on Paush Purnima, followed by several other significant bathing days, including Makar Sankranti, Shattila Ekadashi, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Achala Saptami, Jaya Ekadashi and Magh Purnima.
Every fourth year, the Magh Mela transforms into the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, and every twelfth year into the Maha Kumbh Mela, attracting millions of devotees from across the country and abroad.
