Picture of Prayagraj Sangam bath.
The 44-day Magh Mela in Sangam city Prayagraj concluded with the holy bath of Mahashivratri. This Magh Mela of the year 2026 will not only be remembered for its unprecedented crowd, but will also be recorded in the pages of history for breaking the old records of Kumbh. The fair administration claims that a total of 22 crore 10 lakh devotees took a dip in the Sangam in this fair which lasted for 44 days.
This figure is historic because it has left behind the record of 12 crores of Kumbh-2013 by a huge margin. The administration had expected 16 lakh people on the last bathing festival of Mahashivratri, but by 8 am itself 15 lakh people had taken bath. By evening this figure crossed 40 lakhs.
The entire fair area echoed with the slogans of Har Har Mahadev and Har Har Gange. The condition of the crowd was such that entry of four wheelers was prohibited after 8 am. With the sun shining, there was no space left to place the mole on the Sangam nose.
‘Shravan Kumar of Kalyug’ arrived after lifting 100 year old mother
Amidst this huge crowd and noise, a scene was seen which brought tears to the eyes of thousands of devotees. Ram Bhajan Yadav from Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, carried his 100-year-old mother on his shoulders like a kanwad and walked several kilometers to reach Sangam bank.
Mother’s wish was to take Sangam bath on Mahashivratri.
His mother was completely unable to walk, but her wish was that he should take a Sangam bath on Mahashivratri. Ram Bhajan not only came to immerse the ashes of his father, but also presented such an example of motherly devotion that everyone present at the fair started calling him ‘Shravan Kumar of Kalyug’. When he took the dip by carrying his mother on his shoulders, the devotees showered flowers and garlands on him and saluted his spirit.
After the Sangam bath, the devotees headed towards the ancient Shiva temples of the city – Mankameshwar, Someshwar Mahadev and Nagavasuki. After night rest, the process of returning home of Kalpavasis and devotees has started. This fair was a big success for the administration, which has presented a strong blueprint for the preparations for the upcoming Mahakumbh.
