Magh Mela at the Sangam Sets New Bathing Records Amid Unprecedented Pilgrim Rush
The Magh Mela on the sandy banks of the Sangam is being promoted on such a scale that it is now witnessing record-breaking numbers of devotees.
According to official claims, 4.52 crore (45.2 million) pilgrims had taken the holy dip at the Sangam by Sunday night on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya—a figure that surpasses even the much-cited numbers of the 2013 Maha Kumbh, when more than three crore devotees were reported to have bathed on Mauni Amavasya (February 10, 2013).
The influx of pilgrims for the Mauni Amavasya mahāsnān began on Saturday night and continued to intensify steadily.
Even at midnight, despite dense fog enveloping the Sangam, devotees were seen performing ritual baths.
The same conditions prevailed on Sunday morning, as thick fog lingered over the riverbanks, yet the unbroken stream of pilgrims pressed on toward the confluence, cutting through the mist with unwavering faith.
By around 9 a.m., the scene transformed into a vast sea of humanity.
As pressure mounted at the Sangam Nose, authorities began diverting pilgrims via the Kali pontoon bridge toward Jhunsi to ease congestion and clear the core bathing area.
Administrative officials claimed that by 8 a.m., nearly 1.5 crore devotees had already completed their holy dip.
The numbers continued to climb rapidly through the day:
- 3.15 crore by 12 noon,
- 3.83 crore by 4 p.m.
- 4.36 crore by 6 p.m..
before the administration released the final figure of 4.52 crore after 8 p.m.
Senior officials were visibly present at the Sangam Nose to oversee crowd management and safety arrangements.
Among those monitoring the situation on the ground were Home Secretary Mohit Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agrawal, Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar, District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma, Mela Officer Rishiraj, and Mela SP Neeraj Pandey, all actively coordinating efforts to manage the unprecedented rush.
The day’s events marked a significant milestone for the Magh Mela, reinforcing its growing stature and the administration’s claim of setting new benchmarks in pilgrim turnout at the Sangam.
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