A sea of faith descended upon the sacred confluence in Prayagraj as an estimated 23 lakh devotees braved the winter chill to take a holy dip in the Sangam on Saturday. This massive gathering marked the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima and the commencement of the month-long Magh Mela, a key religious event in the Hindu calendar.
Record Turnout Amid Winter Chill
Pilgrims began thronging the ghats in the early hours, undeterred by the cold weather with temperatures ranging between 11.8 and 17.4 degrees Celsius. Mela officials reported that the numbers swelled throughout the day, with around 15 lakh devotees taking the dip by noon, eventually reaching the 23 lakh mark by evening. The sprawling sandy expanse of the mela area resonated with religious chants, bhajans, and the constant movement of saints, seers, and pilgrims.
Administration's Multi-Pronged Management
In anticipation of the colossal congregation, the district administration implemented extensive arrangements. Security was a top priority, with a heavy deployment of police personnel, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and disaster response teams. CCTV cameras and drone surveillance were actively used for crowd monitoring, while traffic diversions helped manage vehicular flow to the mela site.
Health and sanitation services were significantly bolstered. Multiple medical camps, ambulances, and emergency teams were stationed at strategic points. Continuous sanitation drives were conducted, and provisions for drinking water, temporary roads, and lighting were augmented for the convenience and safety of the visitors.
Reuniting Families in the Crowd
The sheer density of the crowd led to several devotees getting separated from their family members. Announcements for missing persons frequently echoed from the loudspeakers installed across the mela grounds. Personnel at dedicated lost-and-found camps worked tirelessly, and officials confirmed that most separated individuals were traced and reunited with their families within a short span of time.
Leadership Extends Greetings and Blessings
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to social media platform X to extend his salutations and best wishes. He congratulated all devotees and state residents on the commencement of the Magh Mela and Paush Purnima. In his post, he welcomed all saints, religious leaders, Akhara members, and pilgrims to Prayagraj, which he termed the 'king of pilgrimage sites'. He prayed for the blessings of Goddesses Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati to fulfil everyone's wishes.
The day also signified the beginning of Kalpwas, a month-long period of austerity observed by many pilgrims. The 44-day religious event of the Magh Mela will continue until February 15, with temporary camps, tents, and ashrams serving as centres for prayer, meditation, and spiritual discourses.
