Millions Brave Freezing Temperatures for Holy Dip in Prayagraj's Sangam Waters

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Prayagraj, India - Thousands of devotees from across the country, including the elderly and children, took a daring dip in the icy Sangam waters on Saturday, marking the beginning of Magh Mela. The month-long 'Kalpavas' ritual, aimed at cleansing sins, started with the 'Paush Purnima' bath, where devotees bathe twice a day in the Ganges and eat only one meal, devoting their time to meditation and worship. According to Magh Mela authorities, nearly 9 lakh devotees had taken the holy dip by 10 am. Acharya Rajendra Mishra, president of Triveni Sangam Aarti Seva Samiti, estimated that around 5 lakh devotees would begin their 'Kalpavas' on Saturday. Due to the biting cold, the morning crowd was smaller, but it's expected to grow as the day progresses. Rajendra Paliwal, president of Prayag Dham Sangh, predicted that around 20 lakh devotees, including 'Kalpavasis', would take the holy dip by evening. The auspicious bathing time ends at 4 pm, after which the 'Kalpavasis' will take a vow from their priests and stay at the fair. Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agarwal estimated that 20-30 lakh devotees would take a bath in the Ganges and Sangam on 'Paush Purnima'. The Magh Mela site features 10 bathing ghats and 9 pontoon bridges. Devotees like Pooja Jha from Kolkata and Shivani Mishra from Rewa appreciated the peaceful atmosphere, thanks to the smaller crowd on the first day of bathing. A separate township, Prayagwal, has been set up for pilgrims, covering 950 bighas. This is a first-time initiative, aiming to provide a more comfortable experience for the devotees. Magh Mela 2026 will witness major bathing occasions on Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima, and Mahashivratri.