Curtain falls on Magh Mela with Mahashivratri snan today

Prayagraj: With Mahashivratri falling on Feb 15 (Sunday), marking the final and most significant bathing day of Magh Mela 2026, the Prayagraj administration has intensified preparations to ensure safety, smooth crowd management, and traffic regulation for an expected massive turnout of devotees. The annual fair, which commenced on Jan 3, will formally conclude with the Mahashivratri snan.Police commissioner Jogendra Kumar issued detailed instructions to police and administrative officials. He directed that peak deployment remained effective from 8am on Saturday and will continue until 8am on Feb 16. Coordination with LIU and other intelligence units has been strengthened, and intensive checking is being carried out at all sensitive points.
Additional police commissioner Ajaypal Sharma also instructed officials to launch special drives against unauthorised vendors and beggars near the ghats to prevent congestion. Given the anticipated rush at prominent Shiva temples, including Mankameshwar temple, Nagvasuki temple and Someshwar Mahadev temple, duty has been categorised sector-wise. Separate queues for men and women will be ensured, while exit routes are being streamlined to reduce crowd pressure. Authorities will deploy LED screens and a public address system to guide pilgrims and prevent bottlenecks.SP (Mela) Neeraj Pandey said most temporary sectors of the mela area have been vacated, but a gathering of 15-16 lakh devotees is expected on the final bathing day. Key parking zones, including helipad parking, Galla Mandi parking, Kisan parking, and plot 17 parking, will remain operational to manage the influx.Traffic arrangements have been tightened under the supervision of ADCP Pushkar Verma. The mela area will be declared a no-vehicle zone. From Saturday midnight to midnight Feb 16, entry of all private, heavy and light vehicles will be prohibited, except for administrative and medical services. Inter-district diversion plans will redirect vehicles before they reach Prayagraj limits, while the traffic control room and ICCC will monitor congestion on key routes, including the Old Bridge.Mela officer Rishiraj also directed that all 12 bathing ghats be fully prepared, with straw layering and improved changing rooms completed in advance. Each major temple will have dedicated security personnel, along with a magistrate, to supervise crowd management.Officials said that all arrangements are in place to meet devotees' expectations and ensure that the concluding day of Magh Mela 2026 passes peacefully and safely.