According to Hindu religion, taking bath in Sangam city in the month of Magh leads to purity of mind and actions. In view of this, preparations for Magh Snan at Sangam have been completed. Tents of saints and mahatmas have been set up. Common people who want to perform Kalpavas are also busy in preparations. Goswami Tulsi Das has written in Shri Ramcharit Manas that when the Sun enters Capricorn (Makar Sankranti) then all the gods, charity, pilgrimages and humans take bath in the Triveni Sangam of Tirtharaj Prayag. It is mentioned in Matsya Purana that bathing in Sangam in the month of Magh gives virtue equal to traveling to ten thousand places of pilgrimage.
Month dedicated to Srihari Vishnu
It is mentioned in Padma Purana that bathing in the holy rivers in Magh pleases Lord Vishnu and one gets freedom from sins. Sun worship has special significance in this month, because when the Sun enters Capricorn, the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated on that day. The biggest significance of the month of Magh is associated with bathing in the Sangam of Prayagraj. Because this is where the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati river takes place. It is believed that the creator of the universe, Brahmaji, performed the first yagya here.
The fruit of thousands of years of penance
In the month of Magh, from the confluence place, all the four pursuits of Artha, Dharma, Kama and Moksha are achieved. A fair is held in Sangam every Magh month. During this period, from the full moon day of Paush month to Mahashivratri, lakhs of devotees spend Kalpavas on the banks of Sangam. There is a tradition for Kalpavasis to wake up before sunrise and take bath. During this time devotees chant the name of the Lord, perform havan etc. It is believed that Kalpavas gives the results of thousands of years of penance. During Magh Mela, bathing has special significance on the days of Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Magh Purnima and Mahashivratri. Mauni Amavasya has special significance among these. By taking bath in silence on this day, one attains eternal virtue. Bathing on Magh Purnima gives inexhaustible virtue and the gods incarnate in the Sangam. Donation and use of sesame seeds is special in this month, because sesame seeds are hot in nature.
also a means of personal purification
Magh month and Sangam Snan reminds us of simplicity, penance and spirituality. It is not only a medium of personal purification but also a symbol of social harmony, where people of all classes take bath together. If one cannot go to Sangam, one should bring Ganga water at home and take bath. In this month we also get the message of restraint and devotion in life, which leads to salvation.
Kalpavas 21 rules based on restraint
Padma Purana explains the main 21 rules of Kalpavas, which are based on strict restraint. By following these, all four efforts are achieved. The rules include speaking the truth, observing non-violence, restraint of senses (celibacy), not getting angry, not criticizing others, not telling lies, not stealing or coveting, renouncing attachment, not littering, sleeping on the ground, sattvik food once in a while, silent fast, charity, chanting-penance and meditation, offering prayers to the Sun, deity worship, satsang and bhajan-kirtan, keeping thoughts, living a life without violence and waking up in Brahma Muhurta.
when which bath
In the year 2026, Magh Mela will start on 3 January on the day of Paush Purnima and end with Mahashivratri on 15 February.
Paush Purnima Snan – 3 January.
Makar Sankranti Snan- 14 January.
Mauni Amavasya Snan – 18 January.
Vasant Panchami Snan – 23 January.
Maghi Purnima Snan – 1 February.
Mahashivratri Snan – 15 February.
Bathing, charity and darshan in the month of Magh have special significance in Prayagraj, the holy confluence bank of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The Magh Mela organized here during this period is one of the most ancient and religious events of Hindu religion. It is also called ‘Mini Kumbh’. It is believed that by bathing in the holy Sangam in the month of Magh, all the sins of a person are destroyed and one gets salvation by getting free from the bondage of birth and death. This is the reason why people not only from the country but also from abroad come to this fair to seek blessings of virtue. There are a total of six dates in Magh Mela on which taking bath is considered extremely auspicious.
Karauli Shankar Mahadev, Third Mathadhipati- Mishri Math, Haridwar.
