Magh Mela 2026 begins in Prayagraj, thousands take holy dip amid biting cold
Prayagraj (The Uttam Hindu): The grand Magh Mela 2026 has begun in Prayagraj, with thousands of devotees reaching the Sangam ghats early in the morning to take a holy dip. Despite the severe cold, pilgrims immersed themselves at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati, seeking spiritual merit. A large crowd was witnessed in the mela area on the very first day, while the administration remained fully alert.
The Magh Mela will be held from January 3 and continue until February 15, 2026, concluding on Mahashivratri. Several major bathing dates and religious events will take place during this period. Extensive preparations were made by the district administration and police for the first bathing festival on Paush Purnima, which were clearly visible on the ground.
Security arrangements at the mela are being described as unprecedented. More than 400 AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed across the mela area to ensure round-the-clock surveillance. Drones are also being used for continuous monitoring of crowds and traffic. For water safety, divers from the NDRF and SDRF have been deployed at the Sangam and nearby ghats. Keeping potential threats in mind, teams from the ATS, Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), and other security agencies have also been stationed. The entire mela area has been divided into multiple sectors with adequate police deployment to handle any emergency promptly.
Additional Police Commissioner Ajay Pal Sharma said that special arrangements have been made for security and traffic management during the first major bathing festival of Magh Mela 2026. He stated that AI-enabled cameras, drones, and AI-based monitoring systems have been installed to keep a constant watch on the area. Traffic and security teams are deployed on the ground to ensure smooth movement and safety.
He further informed that all police personnel underwent special training for over a month. Training related to crowd control, disaster management, and pilgrim safety was completed well in advance. Security teams are deployed at all key locations, ensuring that devotees are able to bathe safely and return without any inconvenience.