Magh Mela 2026 Begins with Grand Paush Purnima Bathing Festival at Prayagraj

Prayagraj, Jan 2026: The Magh Mela 2026, one of India’s largest spiritual and cultural gatherings, commenced on Saturday at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, with the Paush Purnima bathing festival. Despite severe cold, devotees thronged the ghats from early morning, drawn by faith and devotion. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the administration had made meticulous arrangements, ensuring a smooth and secure experience. By 7 PM, over 31 lakh devotees had taken the holy dip, with numbers expected to cross 35 lakh.

Faith and Spirituality Unite at the Triveni Sangam
On Paush Purnima, devotees performed holy baths at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati, as well as at other prominent ghats. The scene reflected a unique blend of spiritual joy and religious devotion. Pilgrims from across India experienced the sacred ritual as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual event. Nisha from Rewari, Haryana, said that the dip in Triveni’s holy waters blessed her life. Kalpana Tomar from Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, expressed that her long-awaited wish to bathe in the Magh Kumbh waters was fulfilled this year. Saints and spiritual leaders from various traditions also performed the first sacred dip.

Festivity, Devotion, and Vigilant Administration
The entire mela area was vibrant with festivities and devotion. Prayagraj Commissioner Soumya confirmed that over 31 lakh devotees had bathed by evening, with numbers likely to reach 35 lakh. Mela Superintendent of Police Neeraj Pandey highlighted extensive security measures, including over 1,500 CCTV cameras monitored round-the-clock from the central command center, modern crowd management tools, and active patrolling by water police, ensuring smooth and safe arrangements.

Kalpwas Tradition Begins; Tent City Comes Alive
The annual Kalpwas ritual, where devotees observe austerities and spiritual discipline on the banks of Ganga, began alongside the Paush Purnima festival. For the first time, the “Prayagwal Nagar” tent city for Kalpwasis came alive, accommodating over 4 lakh participants who performed their first holy bath and took their vows to observe austerity and devotion throughout the Magh month.

The Paush Purnima bath at Magh Mela 2026 marked a grand start to a month-long festival of faith, spirituality, and cultural celebration at Prayagraj.