Millions Flock to Magh Mela: A Spiritual Dive into Makar Sankranti

Over 21 lakh devotees attended the Magh Mela, taking a holy dip in Ganga on Makar Sankranti. The event, celebrating the sun's northward journey, expects to draw more than one crore pilgrims by evening. Massive arrangements ensure smooth logistics, with sanitation, security, and transport being key focuses.

On Thursday, the sacred Magh Mela witnessed over 21 lakh devotees converging at the Ganga and Sangam for a ritual dip on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. Authorities expect attendance to surpass one crore, as the day marks the Sun's northward journey, according to local priest Ravishankar Mishra.

Soumya Agrawal, Divisional Commissioner, outlined the vast infrastructure supporting the event, spread across 800 hectares. Facilities include over 25,000 toilets and a tent city offering meditation and yoga for spiritual seekers, along with innovative transport options like bike taxis and golf carts for seamless navigation.

Superintendent of Police Neeraj Pandey emphasized the event's security measures, with over 10,000 police personnel deployed. Extensive crowd management solutions, such as 42 temporary parking facilities, support the massive influx, ensuring the safety and comfort of all attendees.

(With inputs from agencies.)