A powerful wave of faith swept through Prayagraj as more than 1.5 million devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on Paush Purnima, marking the first major bathing festival of Magh Mela 2026. From the early hours of the morning, pilgrims thronged the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, braving cold winds and low temperatures with unwavering devotion.
According to official figures, around 15.3 lakh devotees had completed the sacred bath by noon, with the numbers continuing to rise throughout the day. The atmosphere at the Sangam echoed with chants, prayers, and devotional hymns as devotees sought blessings for prosperity, peace, and well-being of their families and the nation.
Tight Security, Smooth Crowd Management
The district administration had made elaborate security and crowd-control arrangements to ensure a smooth and incident-free bathing festival. Senior police and administrative officials conducted early-morning inspections of the bathing ghats. Due to well-planned traffic diversions and parking arrangements, no major traffic jams were reported on highways leading to the mela area, offering relief to pilgrims and local residents alike.
Minor Incident Near Sangam Nose
A minor incident occurred near the Sangam Nose, where a horse suddenly went out of control, injuring a mounted police personnel. With the help of nearby devotees and officials, the injured policeman was promptly shifted to a hospital. Authorities confirmed that the situation was quickly brought under control and no major mishap was reported anywhere in the mela area.
Devotion Across the Region
Apart from Prayagraj, devotees also took holy dips at Brajghat in Hapur and nearby riverbanks, highlighting the widespread spiritual significance of Paush Purnima. Despite the biting cold, people from nearby villages arrived during the Brahma Muhurat to perform rituals, attend Satyanarayan Katha, visit temples, and offer prayers.
108 Sacred Dips by Sant Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj
Adding to the spiritual fervour, Sant Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, President of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nirman Trust, performed 108 sacred dips at the Sangam, undertaking a special religious vow on the occasion. His act drew attention from devotees and saints present at the mela.
Officials confirmed that barring the isolated horse-related incident, the first bathing festival concluded peacefully, setting a positive tone for the upcoming major bathing days of Magh Mela 2026.
