THE FOURTH significant ritual bath, ‘Magh Purnima Snan’, during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday also witnessed a massive gathering of devotees for holy dip. According to the state government, the footfall on Wednesday stood at 1.95 crore until 8 pm and the total till date as more than 48.29 crore.

As the devotees had started reaching the Maha Kumbh area late Tuesday evening, the Mela administration reinforced the ghats and managed water levels in the rivers to facilitate hassle-free bathing.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also seen in pictures shared by the government,  personally monitoring the Maha Kumbh Mela from his residence at 4 am, along with Director General of Police Prashant Kumar and Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad.

Additional Fair Officer, Vivek Chaturvedi, informed that the turnout for the sacred bath was “unexpectedly high”, with devotees continuously arriving for the ritual. Given the massive crowd, riverbanks had been strengthened and water level management had been ensured. The police had also set up barricades and watchtowers and changing rooms had been reinforced, added officials.

In anticipation of the massive influx, Variable Messaging Displays (VMDs) were activated across the fairgrounds, providing real-time guidance and instructions to pilgrims.

The auspicious period for Magh Purnima began at 6:55 pm on Tuesday and continued till 7:22 pm on Wednesday.

Officials said real time data is being collected from toll plazas and officials of neighbouring districts so that the number of vehicles coming and the routes can be monitored and regulated.

DGP Prashant Kumar pointed out that Wednesday saw the fifth snan of the Maha Kumbh Mela, with the coming Maha Shivratri snan being the final one.

Taking lessons from the stampede on January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), the approach of ‘Build Back Better’ was adopted to ensure even more efficient management, officials said. Community feedback from officials and devotees present at the site was incorporated to enhance arrangements, leading to the safe and smooth participation of approximately 46 to 47 crore pilgrims in the Maha Kumbh so far. By 2 pm on Wednesday, around 1.83 crore devotees had taken a dip at Sangam, he said.