Prayagraj,

22 Nov (HS): The Magh Mela, which will be held in Prayagraj next year, is

projected to attract almost 15 crore pilgrims and would encompass an

800-hectare area, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday

after evaluating preparations on the ground. Adityanath stated, We intend

to ensure that the Magh Mela is held with full grandeur and divinity. This

time, important bathing dates begin early.

He stated that the first snan (holy plunge) of the Magh Mela would be on

Paush Purnima on January 3, followed by Makar Sankranti on January 15. The third

holy bath will take place on Mauni Amavasya on January 18, the fourth on Basant

Panchami (January 28), the fifth on Maghi Purnima (February 1), and the sixth

on Mahashivratri (February 15), according to him.

According

to the chief minister, 12-15 crore pilgrims, including 20-25 lakh 'kalpvasis',

are expected to attend the one-and-a-half-month-long Magh Mela. Kalpvas

is a month-long Hindu ceremony performed by followers known as

Kalpvasis in Prayagraj's Sangam, particularly during the Magh Mela.

According to Adityanath, Mela will have 42 parking spaces, 25,000 restrooms,

8,000 dustbins, and 3,000 sanitation staff on duty. To assure infrastructural

preparation, the Public Works Department is installing chequer board plates and

building seven pontoon bridges over 160 kilometers long. The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has

commenced operations to assure uninterrupted supply and electrical safety,

according to the Chief Minister. The irrigation department will maintain a

10,000-cusec flow at the Sangam, while the Namami Gange unit will monitor

cleanliness.

He

stated that the Jal Nigam is installing 242 kilometers of water pipes and 85

kilometers of sewage lines to prevent discharge into the Ganga or Yamuna. The

chief minister stated that health facilities will comprise two 20-bed

hospitals, 12 basic health centres, and five Ayurvedic and Homoeopathy clinics.

A separate vector-control unit is also being established, he noted. Adityanath

stated that security plans will comprise 17 police stations, 42 outposts, 20

fire tenders, seven fire stations, 20 watchtowers, and a complete water-police

network with a station, control center, and four sub-control rooms. An

8-kilometer deep-water barrier will also be constructed. He also stated that 400 AI-enabled cameras

and CCTV systems will be used to analyze crowd density, identify incidents, and

check cleanliness levels.

The

Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation would deploy 3,800 vehicles,

including 75 electric shuttle buses, to connect the city with the Mela

region. A tent city is also being

created. Adityanath stated that preparations have been stepped up from 2024,

building on the experience of the Mahakumbh 2025. The festival,

held during the Hindu month of Magh, is an annual pilgrimage in Prayagraj, when

people wash in the Sangam on auspicious dates, believing it gives spiritual

purification and religious merit. The Magh Mela is celebrated yearly in Sangam,

whereas the Maha Kumbh is held every 12 years.

According to UP government projections, nearly 66 crore pilgrims visited

the Maha Kumbh in 2025.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi