The Mela starts on Pausha Purnima (full moon day) and continues all through Magh for a period of about 45 days. In 2010, Magh Mela began on December 31, 2009 and end on February 12, 2010. This festival is commemorated as annual fair, which plays host to a huge inflow of visitors. The holy ritual of bathing in Sangam is not restricted to Magh month only but the important bathing dates fall on several days spreading over a period of 45 days.
The important dates for bathing in Sangam during Magh Mela 2010 are:
December 31, 2009 (Paush Purnima)
January 11, 2010 (Shat til Ekadashi)
January 14, 2010 (Makar Sankranti)
January 15, 2010 (Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan)
January 20, 2010 (Basant Panchami)
January 22,2010 (Achala Saptami)
January 30, 2010 (Magh Poornima)
February 12, 2010 (Maha Shivratri)
On these days especially Magh Mela is flooded with millions of people. According to Hindu mythology it is a firm belief that the origin of the Magh Mela is the beginning of the Universe. The followers of hinduism believes that they will get rid of all their sins by bathing here.
A temporary town of tents is erected on the banks of the Sangam to facilitate people stay there. Officially Mela administration concludes the mela with the last bath on Maha Shivratri. The pilgrims who live in these camps during the period of the Magh Mela are known as ‘Kalpavasis’ and are the centre of attraction of the mela. Massive local people and tourists from almost all the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh participate in the mela.
Special railway booking counters are setup to make easy booking facility for pilgrims.