The sacred Magh Mela at Prayagraj’s Triveni Sangam reached a grand finale on Sunday, coinciding with the auspicious Maha Shivratri. Echoes of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ reverberated across the spiritual city as millions gathered for holy dips. Over 40 lakh devotees took the purifying bath on this peak day, pushing the total footfall for the 44-day event beyond 22 crore – shattering previous records.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who closely monitored the arrangements, performed Rudrabhishek in Gorakhpur’s Gorakhnath Temple. As the head of Goraksh Peeth, he offered prayers for the prosperity, health, and peace of the state’s residents. His devotion extended to ancient sites like Manasarovar Temple and Piteshwar Nath Temple, where he conducted milk and water abhisheks for universal welfare.
In Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the atmosphere brimmed with fervor. Petals showered on devotees as offerings from 63 temples across India and abroad were presented to Lord Vishweshwar during the midday aarti. By evening, over 5.2 lakh pilgrims had darshan. Ayodhya too saw massive crowds at Nageshwar Nath and Ksheereshwar Nath temples, with robust security dividing the area into zones and sectors.
This Maha Shivratri showcased unwavering faith, drawing crowds undeterred by numbers. Devotees offered belpatra, Ganga jal, and milk, filling the air with chants of ‘Bol Bam’. The events underscore UP’s commitment to seamless grand religious gatherings, blending tradition with modern management for an unprecedented scale.