By Admin 
Today on Sunday (January 18, 2026) there has been an unprecedented influx of devotees on Mauni Amavasya, the third and biggest bathing festival of Magh Mela in Prayagraj. The process of taking a dip of faith at Sangam and other bathing ghats continues since Brahma Muhurta. According to religious belief, keeping silence and bathing and donating on Mauni Amavasya has special significance. Till now lakhs of devotees have taken the holy bath, whereas a day before Mauni Amavasya, about 1.5 crore people had taken the bath.
The fair administration has made extensive arrangements for the bathing festival. A three and a half kilometer long bathing ghat has been prepared. The administration estimates that more than three crore devotees can reach Sangam on the day of Mauni Amavasya. As part of security arrangements, water police, NDRF, SDRF, flood company PAC and divers have been deployed at the bathing ghats. Police, PAC, RAF, BDS, UP ATS commandos and intelligence agencies are active in the fair. According to the Police Commissioner, every nook and corner is being monitored and constant monitoring is being done through CCTV and drone cameras. Strict vigil is also being maintained on suspicious persons and objects.
Uttar Pradesh’s ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash took stock of the security arrangements when a large number of devotees came for the holy bath at Sangam Ghat on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Magh Mela officer Rishi Raj said, “Ghats have been made in all the 7 sectors over a distance of about 3.5 km for the bathing of Mauni Amavasya. There is an appeal to all the devotees to reach the nearest ghat and take bath there and take the benefit of the dip. Along with this, all the facilities have been provided. Water police, RAF, police, all these are deployed at the spot so that the devotees do not face any kind of inconvenience. As the crowd keeps coming, we will keep taking action accordingly.”
Cameras and drones with AI are being used to keep an eye on the crowd
Prayagraj’s Additional Police Commissioner Ajay Pal Sharma said, “A large number of devotees are present at the ghats to take a holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Tight security arrangements have been made. Cameras and drones with AI are also being used to keep an eye on the crowd.” Prayagraj Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar said, “The bath of Mauni Amavasya is going on well. A large number of people are coming for the bath. Complete security arrangements have also been made on this occasion.”
Prayagraj DM Manish Kumar Verma said, “Mauni Amavasya bath has started. Everyone has started taking bath from 12 o’clock itself. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people and a large number of people are coming. A large number of people have taken bath, yesterday 1.5 crore people have taken bath and a large number of people are coming to take bath today.” Prayagraj Division Divisional Commissioner Soumya Aggarwal said, “Five lakh devotees have taken the holy bath so far on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. We have installed reflective tapes on the pillars to show the devotees the right path, and Civil Defense volunteers are also guiding them.”