The ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj has been seeing a large number of devotees, saints and pilgrims arrive to offer their prayers at the Sangam– the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati rivers. The festival has also reportedly seen unprecedented precautions to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus are expected to take holy dips at the confluence during the astronomically auspicious period of over 45 days celebrated as Magh Mela.

Shesh Mani Pandey, the top organiser of the festival, said in a statement, “We have made all the preparations for the seers, kalpwasis and devotees coming to Magh Mela. The ghats have been prepared and the needed infrastructure is in place.”

A Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, smokes marijuana in his camp at the Sangam. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
An elderly couple returns to their camp after performing morning rituals at the Sangam. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Hindu devotees and pilgrims queue up for a free food distribution camp at the Sangam. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Indian sadhu camp at the Sangam in Prayagraj. (Photo Credit: Associated Press)
Devotees offer their prayers at the Sangam. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@AjitsinhJagirda)