Mahakumbh: Millions take 'amrit snan' on Maghi Purnima day; elaborate steps in place to manage crowd

Millions of devotees converged at Mahakumbh Mela on Wednesday to take 'amrit snan' on the auspicious Maghi Purnima day as authorities step up crowd management measures. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is monitoring the event from Lucknow, officials said.

By 7 am, lakhs had already taken baths at the Triveni Sangam and the other ghats. As per the Vedic calendar, the full moon of the Shukla Paksha of Magh month began at 6:55 pm on Tuesday. As soon as the holy period began, bathing began with gaiety at all the 44 ghats including the Sangam coast. 

The 'snan' on Maghi Purnima will also mark the end of the month-long Kalpavas as devotees prepare to leave the Maha Kumbh. Over 10 lakh kalpvasis will leave the mela on Wednesday and the administration has requested all Kalpvasis to follow traffic rules and use only authorised parking spaces.

Vaibhav Krishna, DIG Prayagraj, told reporters that the authorities are prepared for the influx of devotees. "On the occasion of Magh Purnima, devotees are arriving here in large numbers for 'snan'. We have prepared well and things are so far under control. People are following the rules and regulations," he added.

The Prayagraj administration has also implemented a special traffic plan for Maghi Purnima, ensuring a 'no vehicle zone' for safety, with only essential and emergency services allowed to enter.   

The Mahakumbh mela will end of February 26, on Mahashivrathri day. With two weeks remaining, over 45 crore people have taken a dip in the Sangam so far since the grand religious event started on January 13.

CM greets devotees

Chief Minister Adityanath greeted devotees and the residents of the state on the holy bathing festival. "Heartiest greetings to all the revered saints, religious leaders, Kalpvasis and devotees who have come for the holy bath at the sacred Triveni in Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj. May everyone's life be filled with happiness, prosperity and good fortune by the grace of Lord Shri Hari. May Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna and Maa Saraswati fulfill everyone's wishes," he posted on X.