Prayagraj is actively preparing to host the Magh Mela 2026, a significant Hindu pilgrimage and annual gathering at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Scheduled from January 3 to February 15, 2026, the Mela is expected to draw millions of devotees, saints, and spiritual seekers. The first holy dip will be on Paush Purnima, January 3, and the event will conclude on Mahashivratri, February 15.
The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is focused on organizing an unprecedented and well-coordinated event, building upon the experience of the Mahakumbh 2025. The preparations are in full swing, with significant upgrades aimed at managing crowds and enhancing the experience for visitors. An estimated 120 to 150 million devotees are expected to take a holy dip at the Sangam.
Several key improvements are underway. The Mela area is being expanded to 800 hectares. The bathing ghat length has been increased by 40%, from 2 km to 2.8 km. One new sector has been added, bringing the total to seven, and an additional pontoon bridge is being installed. Traffic management plans, similar to those used during the Kumbh Mela, are being implemented.
The Mela area will feature a color-coordinated theme, with the seven sectors decorated in the colors of the seven energy chakras. A 3-foot wide demarcation strip will be created on the boundary of each sector to create a visually clear, organized space. The changing rooms at the ghats will have double the capacity, accommodating four people simultaneously instead of two, and will also align with the sector-wise color scheme. The seven pontoon bridges will be decorated with the seven colors of the rainbow, featuring LED lights displaying religious symbols. Canopies will be constructed on the bridges to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims, and color-coded flags will be installed for easy identification.
The Northern Railway, Lucknow Division, is also enhancing passenger amenities and streamlining rail operations at Prayag Junction, Phaphamau, and Prayagraj Sangam railway stations. These efforts include additional waiting areas, extra drinking water units, upgraded public announcement systems, and temporary assistance counters. More temporary booking counters will be established, and awareness about the M-UTS mobile ticketing system will be increased. The number of catering stalls will be increased to ensure hygienic and reasonably priced food.
To ensure cleanliness and hygiene, the Mela will have 25,000 toilets, 8,000 dustbins, and 3,000 sanitation workers on duty. The Jal Nigam is laying 242 km of water pipelines and 85 km of sewer lines to prevent any discharge into the Ganga or Yamuna.
Medical facilities will include two 20-bed hospitals, 12 primary health centers, 50 ambulances, and five Ayurvedic and five Homoeopathic clinics. A dedicated vector-control unit is also being set up. Security arrangements will include 17 police stations, 42 outposts, 20 fire tenders, 7 fire stations, 20 watchtowers, and a water-police network.
The Magh Mela 2026 is considered especially significant as it follows the Kumbh Mela 2025, offering another opportunity to experience the divine energy of the Sangam. Taking a holy dip in the Sangam during the month of Magh is believed to wash away sins and grant spiritual liberation. The key bathing dates include Paush Purnima (January 3), Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 18), Basant Panchami (January 23), Maghi Purnima (February 1), and Mahashivratri (February 15).
A logo has been unveiled that captures the essence of Magh Mela, reflecting the spiritual significance of chanting, penance, and Kalpavas at the Sangam. The logo's design mirrors the astrological positions of the Sun and Moon during Magh, with the 14 phases of the Sun and Moon depicted representing their precise astronomical positions that determine the timing of the Mela.
