Magh Mela

Why in News?

In view of the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, around 350 industrial units in Kanpur were directed to suspend operations for 46 days to maintain the water quality.

• Magh Mela – It is one of the big religious events after Mahakumbh, an annual pilgrimage in Prayagraj, where devotees bathe at the Sangam on auspicious dates.
• Location – It is held at Triveni Sangam, Prayag (Allahabad/Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh), the confluence of 3 sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati.
• Duration– It is a 45-day-long pilgrimage that occurs in the Hindu month of Magh (Jan–Feb), on Paush Purnima and ending on Mahashivaratri.
• Historical References – Its records date back to the 7^th century CE.
  • Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, documented gatherings at Prayag.
  • Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh, a 17th-century Persian text about India authored in Persian in Aurangzeb’s court, mentions annual Hindu bathing festivals.
• 6 major ritual baths (snans) – Major snan days include Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima and Mahashivratri.
• Kalpvas tradition – Devotees (Kalpvasis) live in temporary shelters by the river, performing daily yajnas, havans, and charitable acts.
• Donations – People contribute food and ritual items; three primary donations include Bhojdan (food), Atradan (grains), Tiladan (sesame).
• Difference from Kumbh Mela
  • Magh Mela - Annual, held only in Prayagraj.
  • Kumbh Mela - Once every 12 years, it rotates across Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.
  • Ardh Kumbh - Every 6 years at Prayagraj.

References

1. Indian Express | Magh Mela
2. Indian Culture | Magh Mela