Officials said that around nine lakh devotees had taken the holy dip by 10 am, and the number continued to rise as the day progressed.
Prayagraj witnessed a huge gathering of devotees on Saturday as Magh Mela 2026 began with the Paush Purnima holy bath at the Sangam, despite cold winter conditions.
Lakhs of pilgrims, including elderly people and children, took a dip in the icy waters at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, marking the start of the month-long Kalpavas. Devotees observing Kalpavas follow strict rituals, including daily holy baths, simple meals and time devoted to prayer and meditation.
Officials said that around nine lakh devotees had taken the holy dip by 10 am, and the number continued to rise as the day progressed. While the early morning hours saw fewer people due to the cold, crowds increased later in the day.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended greetings to devotees and prayed for the fulfilment of their wishes. In a message shared on X, he welcomed saints, seers, akharas and pilgrims to Prayagraj, calling it one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country.
Religious leaders also spoke about the large turnout. Acharya Rajendra Mishra of the Triveni Sangam Aarti Seva Samiti said that nearly five lakh devotees were expected to begin Kalpavas on Saturday. Some religious organisations estimated that the total number of bathers could reach 20 lakh by evening.
The auspicious bathing time was kept open till 4 pm, after which Kalpavasis were to take their vows under the guidance of priests and move into their temporary camps.
Authorities made extensive arrangements for the event. Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agarwal said preparations were made for a footfall of 20 to 30 lakh devotees on Paush Purnima. Ten bathing ghats and nine pontoon bridges were set up to manage crowd movement smoothly.
Adding to the significance of the opening day, Kinnar Akhada leader Kalyani Nand Giri also took the holy dip. She described the crowd and enthusiasm as similar to the Kumbh Mela. Notably, the Kinnar Akhada is observing Kalpavas at the Magh Mela for the first time.
For the first time, a special township named Prayagwal has been developed for Kalpavasis. Spread across 950 bighas near the Nagvasuki Temple, the township offers organised accommodation and essential facilities for pilgrims.
Other important bathing dates during Magh Mela 2026 include Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 18), Basant Panchami (January 23), Maghi Purnima (February 1) and Mahashivratri (February 15).
