UP ATS on high alert in Prayagraj as lakhs take holy dip on Mahashivratri

PRAYAGRAJ: The Uttar Pradesh administration put in place extensive security arrangements on Sunday as large numbers of devotees arrived at the Prayagraj Magh Mela for the final ‘snan parv’ on the occasion of Maha Shivratri 2026. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has been deployed to monitor the event amid the heavy footfall. Magh Mela officer Rishi Raj said, “Today is the last 'snan parv' of the Magh Mela, and devotees are coming in large numbers to take a holy dip on the occasion of #Mahashivratri2026...10 lakh devotees have already taken a holy dip so far...The administration has made proper arrangements...” On Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his wishes for Maha Shivratri. He said, “I extend my best wishes to every block and all the people on Shivratri tomorrow. I thank Block Chief Brijesh Ji for developing this block with 1.25 lakh crore rupees. Now you can reach Lucknow from Jungle Kaudiya in 3 hours.” Earlier in January, devotees had gathered in large numbers at the Sangam in Prayagraj during the annual Magh Mela to take a holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Prayagraj Additional Police Commissioner Ajay Pal Sharma said that advanced surveillance systems, including AI-enabled cameras and drones, were deployed to monitor the crowds. The technology-driven monitoring system has been set up to manage the movement of lakhs of pilgrims visiting the Triveni Sangam for Magh Mela 2026. Magh Mela is a 45-day annual Hindu pilgrimage held from January 3 to February 15, 2026, centred around the sacred Triveni Sangam — the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. The event features a series of holy dips from Paush Purnima to Mahashivratri, drawing massive congregations. Earlier during the festival, flower petals were showered from a helicopter on devotees who had gathered at the Sangam for ‘snaan’ on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.