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Devotees Brave Chilly Dip in Saryu on Basant Panchami, Hail Ram Temple

Devotees gathered in large numbers at Ayodhya's Saryu Ghat for a holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami, braving the chilly weather. In Prayagraj, authorities have deployed AI-enabled cameras and drones for high-tech surveillance to manage the massive crowds at the Magh Mela. An extensive security and traffic diversion plan is in effect to ensure the safety of lakhs of pilgrims at the Triveni Sangam. The 45-day annual Magh Mela pilgrimage began on January 3 and will continue until February 15, 2026.

Key Points: Basant Panchami Holy Dip in Ayodhya, Prayagraj Amid Tight Security

  • Devotees take holy dip in Saryu on Basant Panchami
  • High-tech AI & drone surveillance for Magh Mela
  • Inter-district traffic diversion plan in effect
  • 45-day Magh Mela pilgrimage continues till February
2 min read

UP: Devotees take holy dip at Saryu Ghat amid chilly weather on Basant Panchami

Devotees take a holy dip in Saryu River on Basant Panchami. AI cameras and drones deployed for Magh Mela 2026 security in Prayagraj.

"Modi and Yogi Ji have done a great job so that Lord Ram has arrived... - Anjali Srivastava, Devotee"

Ayodhya, January 23

Devotees in large numbers took a holy dip at Saryu Ghat amid the chilly weather and performed worship and prayers on the occasion of Basant Panchami on Friday.

A devotee from Khushi Nagar, Anjali Srivastava, said, "We have come here to take a dip in the river on Basant Panchami. Modi and Yogi Ji have done a great job so that Lord Ram has arrived... It's very cold, but the devotion of the devotees is so strong that the cold disappears."

Another devotee, Anju Devi, said, "Today is Basant Panchami, and we have come here for the holy bath. We had a lot of faith in coming here. We took a holy dip, performed puja, and also did the aarti of Ganga Maiya. The weather is very cold, but Ganga Maiya has given us strength. With such faith, what is a little cold to us?"

Meanwhile, in Prayagraj, Additional Police Commissioner Ajay Pal Sharma announced that high-tech surveillance, including AI-enabled cameras and drones, has been deployed to monitor the massive crowds expected for the holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami. The specialised monitoring system aims to manage the movement of lakhs of pilgrims arriving at the Triveni Sangam for the Magh Mela 2026.

Ahead of the preparations for the Basant Panchami Snan, Ajay Pal Sharma said on Thursday, "January 23 is the festival of Basant Panchami. Lakhs of devotees are expected to arrive here. For this, the inter-district diversion plan has been implemented from 12 midnight tonight. Heavy vehicles have been diverted, and strict monitoring is being maintained. The entire fair area is covered through our AI cameras and drones, teams of ATS, STF and ANTF are present in view of the bathing at Triveni; water police personnel have been deployed at different ghats, the diversion plan has come into effect from 12 midnight tonight; it is being ensured that devotees take the holy dip under complete security."

On the occasion of Basant Panchami, devotees continue to arrive in large numbers at the Magh Mela 2026 held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Magh Mela is a 45-day annual Hindu pilgrimage that started on January 3 and will go on till February 15, 2026, centring around the holy Triveni Sangam (Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati). As a significant event, it involves holy dips, beginning on Paush Purnima and ending on Mahashivaratri, featuring massive congregations.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The devotion is beautiful, but the article mentions the Magh Mela goes till 2026? That seems like a typo. It should be 2024. Otherwise, a wonderful glimpse into the cultural and spiritual significance of the festival.
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Priya S
My parents are at Prayagraj for the Mela. They said the arrangements are much better this year, with proper diversions and security. The cold is intense, but as Anju Devi said, faith gives you strength. Feeling very proud of our traditions.
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Rohit P
While it's great to see the infrastructure and security, I hope equal focus is given to cleanliness and preventing pollution in the holy rivers. Devotion and environmental responsibility should go hand in hand.
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Karthik V
Basant Panchami is also about Goddess Saraswati. Hope the children are getting their books and instruments blessed too! A beautiful festival that celebrates knowledge, devotion, and the changing seasons. 🎶📚
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Michael C
The scale of organization for an event expecting lakhs of people is immense. Deploying ATS and STF teams shows the seriousness about security. Interesting to see traditional pilgrimage sites embracing high-tech surveillance.

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