Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the preparations for the upcoming Magh Mela 2026 and offered prayers at the sacred Sangam. The grand religious festival, held annually in Prayagraj, is expected to witness crores of devotees performing the holy bath (snan) at the convergence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. To ensure seamless management, the state government has established the Prayagraj Mela Authority, which has begun working at full speed to organize the massive event.
Crores of Devotees Expected During Magh Mela
During a press conference on Saturday, CM Yogi Adityanath announced that the upcoming Magh Mela is expected to attract millions of pilgrims, including a large number of Kalpwasis, who stay at the Sangam for a month-long spiritual retreat. The Chief Minister said that extensive preparations have been completed to accommodate the influx of devotees and ensure their safety.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the Magh Mela will feature six major bathing festivals, each expected to draw enormous crowds. He added that the event dates have shifted slightly earlier this year.
Key Snan (Bathing) Dates for Magh Mela 2026
Here are the major bathing dates announced by the Chief Minister:
- Paush Purnima: January 3
- Makar Sankranti: January 15
- Mauni Amavasya: January 18
- Basant Panchami: January 23
- Maghi Purnima: February 1
- Mahashivratri: February 15
The largest gathering of Kalpwasis is expected between Paush Purnima (Jan 3) and Maghi Purnima (Feb 1). During this time, nearly 20–25 lakh Kalpwasis are expected to reside at the Sangam for their month-long spiritual observance. Overall, the state anticipates 12–15 crore devotees will take a holy dip during the 1.5-month-long event.
Preparatory Meeting and On-Ground Review
Before inspecting the preparations at the Sangam, CM Yogi Adityanath chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the arrangements for Magh Mela 2026. The Chief Minister also visited the Rambagh Hanuman Temple during his Prayagraj tour.
To accommodate the massive footfall, officials are working tirelessly to construct the temporary township along the banks of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the ancient Saraswati. Activities such as tent city setup, sanitation planning, security arrangements, lighting, and access routes are already underway.
The Magh Mela is expected to begin during the first week of January 2026, marking the start of one of the largest annual spiritual gatherings in India.
