Prayagraj, Jan 14 (NationPress) The Magh Mela in Prayagraj is once again attracting massive crowds as devotees flock to the Sangam to partake in a sacred dip on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, coinciding with Shattila Ekadashi. By 8 a.m. on Wednesday, approximately 15 lakh devotees had already immersed themselves in the confluence, with participants spanning from young children to senior citizens.

This year, projections indicate that over 2 crore pilgrims will bathe at the Sangam, celebrating both their religious beliefs and India’s rich cultural tapestry.

Despite the chilly weather, the ritual is not merely a spiritual exercise but a celebration of tradition. Devotees have traveled not only from Prayagraj but also from other revered cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Mathura to participate in the sacred bathing.

To manage the large crowds, security measures have been heightened. The administration has prohibited four-wheeler access to the mela areas from January 13 to facilitate smooth movement.

Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar mentioned that mounted police, foot patrol teams, water police, and RAF personnel are stationed throughout the mela grounds. Barricades and diversion plans are in effect to manage the flow of pilgrims safely. AI-enabled cameras are also monitoring crowd movement in real-time, allowing authorities to implement preventive measures as needed.

However, the celebrations faced challenges due to fire incidents at the mela for the second time within 24 hours. On Wednesday evening, a fire erupted in tents located in Sector 4’s Brahmasthan area.

According to Chief Executive Officer Animesh Singh, two tents were completely destroyed, while a third suffered partial damage, with no casualties reported. Initial assessments indicate that a lit lamp used for worship may have sparked the incident.

The day prior, a significant fire at Sector 5’s Narayan Shukla Dham camp destroyed 15 tents and 20 shops. Authorities attributed the blaze to a short circuit, with fire tenders taking hours to bring it under control.

The Magh Mela, which commenced on January 3, will continue until Maha Shivaratri on February 15. Despite the fire incidents, the mela is witnessing remarkable participation, reflecting the unwavering faith and devotion of millions of pilgrims who gather annually at the Sangam.