Prayagraj: The fourth major bathing festival of Magh Mela is being celebrated today on Basant Panchami on 23 January 2026. Lakhs of devotees are taking a dip of faith on the holy banks of Triveni Sangam, regardless of the cold and fog. According to astrologers, Panchami Tithi will start from 2:28 pm on Thursday night and will continue till 1:56 am on Friday night. In this auspicious time, devotees are earning virtue by wearing yellow clothes, yellow food and doing charity.
According to the fair administration, a total of more than 3.5 crore devotees can take Sangam bath in the next three days due to Basant Panchami, Achala Saptami (Putra Saptami or Bhanu Saptami) on 25th January and weekend. After Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami is considered to be the biggest bathing festival, where the crowd pressure remains at its peak. 24 ghats of 3.5 km length are fully prepared in the fair area, where cleanliness, pure water and basic facilities have been ensured.
Crowd management and special arrangements for pontoon bridges
The administration has made special plans on pontoon bridges for smooth movement of devotees:
– Pontoon bridge number 3, 5 and 7 to go from Parade to Jhusi.
– Pontoon bridge number 4 and 6 for coming parade from Jhusi.
Heavy police force deployed on bridge number 1 and 2 for emergency.
Traffic diversion plan released
Fair Police Superintendent Neeraj Pandey said that crowd control, traffic management, ghat security and evacuation have been given top priority. Except the vehicles related to Magh Mela, other heavy and light vehicles are being diverted to alternative routes on the border of Prayagraj district. Most important: The new Yamuna bridge will remain completely closed on Basant Panchami, traffic will be possible only through the old bridge.
This festival is not only a symbol of faith but also celebrates the worship of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, and the beginning of spring. Due to the hard work of the administration, this Mahasnan is being conducted safely and systematically.