The spiritual congregation, which follows the historic Maha Kumbh 2025, saw a massive surge in participation. By 8 am, official reports indicated that over 6.50 lakh devotees had already completed their ritual dip in the biting cold waters of the Ganga and Yamuna.
A Fortress of Faith: Security and Infrastructure
To manage the record-breaking footfall, the Uttar Pradesh administration has implemented a robust “Maha Kumbh-level” security blueprint:
- Security Deployment: Over 10,000 police personnel, including ATS commandos, RAF, and NDRF teams, have been stationed across the Mela area—a 20% increase from previous years.
- Surveillance: The entire 44-day fair is under 24/7 watch via a centralized Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), utilizing drone surveillance and AI-integrated CCTV.
- Sanitation & Health: Authorities have laid 242 km of water pipelines and constructed 25,000 toilets. A team of 350 medical staff is available across temporary hospitals and river ambulances.
- Connectivity: Seven to nine pontoon bridges have been erected to ensure smooth transit across the riverbanks.
The 30-Day Vow: Kalpvas Begins
Paush Purnima also marks the commencement of Kalpvas, one of the most rigorous spiritual practices in Hinduism. Approximately 4 lakh Kalpvasis have settled into the Mela grounds for a month-long retreat.
- The Discipline: Kalpvasis live in simple tents, eat only one saattvic meal a day, and perform three ritual baths daily.
- The Purpose: It is believed that this period of detachment and meditation purifies the soul and breaks the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Sacred Bathing Calendar: Magh Mela 2026
The 44-day festival revolves around six major “Shahi Snan” or royal bathing dates.
| Occasion | Date (2026) | Spiritual Significance |
| Paush Purnima | Jan 3 (Saturday) | The inaugural bath; start of Kalpvas. |
| Makar Sankranti | Jan 14 (Wednesday) | Marks the Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayana). |
| Mauni Amavasya | Jan 18 (Sunday) | The holiest day; observed with a vow of silence. |
| Basant Panchami | Jan 23 (Friday) | Arrival of spring; dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. |
| Maghi Purnima | Feb 1 (Sunday) | Culmination for most devotees; end of full lunar cycle. |
| Mahashivratri | Feb 15 (Sunday) | The final ritual dip; conclusion of Magh Mela. |
Beyond Prayagraj: Spiritual Echoes in Ayodhya
The fervor extended to Ayodhya, where thousands of pilgrims gathered at the Sarayu River banks. Chants of “Jai Shri Ram” echoed as devotees performed the Paush Purnima rituals before heading to the Ram Mandir for darshan, highlighting the deep spiritual synergy between the two holy cities.