Magh Mela: Makar Sankranti draws lakhs to Prayagraj Sangam; over 1 cr devotees expected on Jan 15

• Around 3,300 sanitation workers have been deployed, along with nearly 26,000 toilets
• Over one crore pilgrims expected for Makar Sankranti snan on January 15
• Arrangements made for crowd control, sanitation, and security at the mela

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Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj witnessed massive crowds at the Sangam on the occasion of Ekadashi on Wednesday as the ongoing Magh Mela entered a crucial and busy phase.

From early morning, lakhs of devotees gathered at the ghats to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The administration remained on high alert, with police and officials closely monitoring the situation across the mela area.

Officials said the turnout on Ekadashi was very high as many devotees arrived a day ahead of the Makar Sankranti bathing ritual scheduled for January 15. “By 6 am itself, around 9.5 lakh pilgrims had already taken the holy dip, and the number is projected to rise through the day,” Rishi Raj, the Magh Mela officer was quoted by ANI as saying.

The Ekadashi snan marked an important moment in the Magh Mela calendar, drawing pilgrims from different parts of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.

After the successful Paush Purnima snan on January 3, when over 31 lakh devotees took a dip, authorities are now preparing for an even bigger turnout. Officials estimate that more than one crore pilgrims could visit the Sangam during the Makar Sankranti snan, making it one of the largest gatherings of this Magh Mela season, PTI reported.

Extensive arrangements for crowd movement

To handle the expected rush, the administration has put in place large-scale arrangements at the ghats and entry points. Bathing ghats covering nearly 12,100 feet have been developed with proper pathways, changing rooms and toilets. Special attention has been given to crowd flow to avoid congestion and ensure safety.

A total of 42 temporary parking zones have been created, with space for more than one lakh vehicles. These parking areas have been set up close to the ghats to reduce walking distance for pilgrims. For elderly devotees and those with disabilities, services such as bike taxis and golf carts are being used across the mela area.

Focus on water quality and sanitation

To maintain proper water levels at the Sangam, about 8,000 cusecs of water is being released daily from the Ganga Barrage in Kanpur. Authorities have also taken steps to improve water quality by tapping all 81 drains flowing into the rivers. Water quality is being checked round the clock.

Sanitation remains a top priority. Around 3,300 sanitation workers have been deployed, along with nearly 26,000 toilets and over 11,000 dustbins placed throughout the mela area. Special machines are being used to keep the area clean and free from waste.

Round-the-clock surveillance

Security has been strengthened with a multi-layer arrangement. The mela area has been divided into 17 police station zones and 42 police outposts. More than 400 CCTV cameras, including AI-enabled systems, have been installed for crowd monitoring and quick response.

Paramilitary forces, fire stations, watchtowers and water police units have also been deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims as the Magh Mela reaches its peak days.