Magh Mela 2001

A month camped on the sand at the Sangam, every year, whether or not it is a Kumbh year.

Magh Mela is the annual winter pilgrimage gathering at Prayagraj's Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga and Yamuna meet and an invisible Saraswati is honoured in faith. Unlike the Kumbh gatherings held in particular cycles, the Magh bathing season recurs every year. Temporary camps, religious teachers, service groups and pilgrims create a large seasonal community beside the rivers.

Kalpavas is a central discipline. Participants stay for a prescribed period near the Sangam, practising bathing, prayers, charity, simple food and self-restraint. Exact vows differ rather than imposing identical strict rules on everyone. Major bathing occasions include Paush Purnima, Makara Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Vasant Panchami, Magha Purnima and, in published major-event schedules, Maha Shivratri.

The event stretches across several weeks, not merely Paush Purnima, which can mark the opening of Kalpavas. The database needs an event range and separate bathing dates. River currents, crowds, transport and official directions must determine safe access. The gathering's devotional meaning is distinct from the historical development of its modern temporary infrastructure.

The Kumbh is what everyone has heard of, but the Magh Mela is what happens every year, and kalpvas is a month-long discipline that the crowd around it tends to hide.

Kalpavas, river prayers, charity, pilgrim services and safe bathing on separately listed main days.

Annual multi-week pilgrimage at Prayagraj, not identical to periodic Kumbh events.