Prayagraj: Undeterred by the icy winds, over 3.56 crore devotees, including seers, kalpvasis, and pilgrims, took a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of the fourth main snan of Basant Panchami during Magh Mela in Prayagraj on Friday.The total number of bathers since the beginning of the Magh Mela has surpassed 15 crore. With 23 days still left, the footfall’s set to smash new records.From the break of dawn, devotees immersed themselves in the divine confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati, with each dip being a step towards spiritual merit. Amid the resonating chants of Vedic mantras and the soulful strains of devotional music, the scene unfolded as a breathtaking testament to the vibrancy and devotion of Sanatan culture.With meticulous arrangements by the mela police and administration ensuring security and safety, Magh Mela 2026 has become more than a religious gathering — it stands as a powerful symbol of unity and the spiritual strength of Sanatan society.The sacred bath also showcased the cultural and spiritual landscape on the banks of the Ganga throughout the day. By 8 am, over 1.04 crore devotees had taken a dip, rising to 1.4 crore by 10 am, 2.1 crore by 12 noon, 2.9 crore by 2 pm, and 3.2 crore by 4 pm and 3.56 crore by 8pm.An impenetrable security set-up was implemented to ensure the safety of devotees at all the 24 ghats during the snan. Senior police officials personally monitored the arrangements on the ground, ensuring seamless crowd management and a peaceful spiritual experience.Talking to TOI, SP (Magh Mela) Neeraj Pandey said, “This Basant Panchami recorded one of the highest volumes of crowd in the past few years.”Pandey said the fourth main snan of Basant Panchami passed off peacefully with no untoward incident reported.A large number of devotees from southern states were spotted fully immersed in the vibrant colours of Indian culture and tradition as they took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam. Describing the Magh Mela experience as unique and unforgettable, Hiren Patel, a devotee from Gujarat, said, “I took a holy dip just a few minutes ago, and it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”Uday Ghate, a visitor from Madhya Pradesh, who took a dip in the Sangam with his wife, described the experience as divine. “This is truly a wonderful experience. The atmosphere of Magh Mela is beyond words. The arrangements and facilities here are outstanding,” he said.The no-vehicle zone let devotees move freely, and after their snan many were seen giving charity and making religious offerings. The digital side of the annual gathering also sparked huge enthusiasm, with people eager to capture and preserve the unforgettable experience.BOXSwami Avimukteshwaranandskips Basant Panchami snantnnPrayagraj: Amid the ongoing tussle with the Magh Mela administration, Swami Avimukteshwaranand did not move towards Sangam to take a holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami on Friday.No official from the Magh Mela administration came to persuade him to take a holy dip on Basant Panchami. Therefore, he remained seated in his vehicle outside his camp at the Magh Mela.Shailendra Yogiraj, national spokesman of Swami Avimukteshwaranand, said the seer’s health deteriorated as he had been sitting outside in the cold for several days.He did not take a dip in the Sangam even on Mauni Amavasya after his palki was stopped by Mela police and administration, claiming that no one was allowed to go in a palki due to the no-vehicle zone. This also led to a clash-like situation between disciples of Swami and policemen.
