Magh Mela Reflects the Spirit of Sanatan Tradition and Strong Governance, Says CM Yogi Adityanath

Lucknow, December 27: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that the Magh Mela is not just a religious event but a living symbol of India’s Sanatan tradition, social discipline and effective administration. He stated that the annual fair represents the country’s deep spiritual roots while also showcasing organised public service and collective harmony. The Chief Minister made these remarks while reviewing the preparations for Magh Mela-2026, which will be held at the sacred Sangam in Prayagraj, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers. The Magh Mela will begin on January 3 and conclude on February 15, lasting for 44 days. During the review meeting, Adityanath said that ensuring a safe, clean and well-managed environment for devotees arriving from across India and abroad remains the government’s top priority. He stressed that all arrangements should be completed on time so that pilgrims can perform their religious duties without facing any inconvenience. The Chief Minister said that traditions such as Kalpavas, ritual bathing and spiritual practices at the Sangam form the foundation of India’s cultural consciousness. These age-old customs, he added, continue to guide society with values of restraint, discipline and devotion. According to Adityanath, between 15 and 25 lakh devotees are expected to observe Kalpavas during this year’s Magh Mela. He noted that there is strong enthusiasm for the event, especially after the successful organisation of the Maha Kumbh earlier this year, which received appreciation both within the country and internationally. Highlighting the spiritual importance of the fair, the Chief Minister said that the Magh Mela promotes values such as harmony, service to society and simple living. He directed officials to preserve the spiritual sanctity of the Mela while ensuring that modern facilities and safety measures are in place for all visitors. Adityanath also instructed the home department to ensure that no VIP protocol is followed during the major bathing days. He said clear guidelines should be issued so that all devotees are treated equally and religious traditions are observed without disruption. The Chief Minister further directed that secretaries of all concerned departments, along with the Additional Director General of Police, should personally visit the Mela site to review preparations. He said all arrangements must be completed by December 31 to ensure smooth conduct of the fair. Officials informed the meeting that major bathing occasions during the Magh Mela will include Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima and Mahashivratri. These days are expected to draw large crowds of devotees from different parts of the country. To accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims, the Mela area has been expanded to nearly 800 hectares. The number of sectors has also been increased from five to seven to allow better crowd movement and management. Officials said that the total length of bathing ghats has been increased by almost 50 per cent compared to the previous Magh Mela. A detailed action plan is being finalised to improve facilities for devotees. This includes 42 parking areas, nine pontoon bridges, improved internal road networks and a streamlined traffic system. These measures are aimed at reducing congestion and making travel easier for pilgrims. Security arrangements are also being strengthened. Around 450 CCTV cameras are being installed across the Mela area, of which 250 have already been made operational. An AI-enabled surveillance and crowd management system is also being introduced to monitor movement and respond quickly to any situation. Officials added that several modern initiatives are being introduced for the convenience of devotees. These include app-based bike and taxi services, clear directional signboards, QR code-based identification on electric poles, geo-tube technology to prevent riverbank erosion and prefabricated sewage treatment plants to maintain cleanliness. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath concluded by saying that the Magh Mela reflects the balance between faith and governance. He said the event is a powerful example of how India’s ancient traditions can be preserved while adopting modern systems to serve people better. Magh Mela Reflects the Spirit of Sanatan Tradition and Strong Governance, Says CM Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the Magh Mela is much more than a religious gathering. According to him, it is a living reflection of India’s Sanatan tradition, social discipline and well-planned governance. He shared these views while reviewing the preparations for Magh Mela-2026, which will be held at the sacred Sangam in Prayagraj from January 3 to February 15. The Magh Mela takes place at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, a site deeply connected to India’s spiritual and cultural life. CM Adityanath said the government’s top priority is to ensure a safe, clean and well-managed environment for devotees coming from across the country and abroad. He highlighted that traditions like Kalpavas, ritual bathing and spiritual practices at the Sangam are central to India’s cultural consciousness. This year, around 15 to 25 lakh devotees are expected to observe Kalpavas alone. The Chief Minister added that there is strong enthusiasm for the Magh Mela, especially after the successful organisation of the Maha Kumbh earlier this year, which received wide appreciation. CM Adityanath said the Magh Mela promotes values of restraint, harmony and service to society. He instructed officials to maintain the spiritual sanctity of the fair while making sure devotees face no inconvenience. He also directed that no VIP protocol should be followed during major bathing days, ensuring equality for all pilgrims. Officials informed that major bathing days during the 44-day fair include Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima and Mahashivratri. To manage large crowds, the Mela area has been expanded to nearly 800 hectares, with sectors increased from five to seven and bathing ghats extended by about 50 per cent. Modern facilities are also being introduced, including 42 parking areas, nine pontoon bridges, better roads, AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, app-based transport services and improved sanitation, making the Magh Mela a blend of faith and modern management.