Magh Mela living expression of India’s Sanatan tradition: Adityanath
Magh Mela Is a Living Expression of India’s Sanatan Tradition: Adityanath
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh | December 27, 2025
Vagabond News | India Desk
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday described the Magh Mela as a “living expression of India’s Sanatan tradition,” saying the annual congregation at Prayagraj reflects the country’s enduring spiritual continuity, social harmony, and civilisational values.
Addressing officials and religious leaders during a review of preparations at the Sangam, Adityanath said the Magh Mela is not merely a religious gathering but a cultural institution that has sustained India’s spiritual heritage for centuries. “Sanatan tradition is not confined to rituals alone. It is a way of life, and the Magh Mela embodies that living philosophy,” he said.
Held annually on the banks of the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, the Magh Mela draws lakhs of devotees—known as Kalpvasis—who observe austere vows, ritual bathing, and spiritual discourses over a month-long period. The festival is widely regarded as a precursor and integral counterpart to the Kumbh tradition.
The chief minister said the state government was committed to ensuring smooth arrangements for pilgrims, citing expanded infrastructure, sanitation facilities, healthcare services, and security measures across the Mela area in Prayagraj. Officials said temporary townships, pontoon bridges, and riverfront amenities have been readied ahead of peak bathing days.
Adityanath also emphasized the economic and cultural significance of the Mela, noting that it sustains traditional livelihoods ranging from boatmen and priests to artisans and small traders. “Faith, economy, and culture converge here,” he said, adding that the event showcases India’s capacity to host large-scale spiritual gatherings with discipline and order.
Scholars of religion and culture say the Magh Mela represents an unbroken civilisational practice where ascetics, householders, and spiritual seekers share a common sacred space. “It is one of the few traditions where renunciation and daily life intersect so visibly,” said a senior Sanskrit scholar based in Prayagraj.
As pilgrims continue to arrive for ritual baths during the auspicious Magh month, authorities said crowd management and environmental safeguards along the riverbanks remain a priority, with continuous monitoring of water quality and waste disposal.
