PRAYAGRAJ: Millions of devotees gathered at the Maha Kumbh Mela on Wednesday, February 12, for the holy Maghi Purnima bath. The event began early in the morning, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath monitoring the arrangements from Lucknow.

With this sacred bath, the month-long Kalpavas is coming to an end. Around ten lakh Kalpvasis will soon start leaving the Kumbh area. Traffic Officials have asked them to follow traffic rules and use designated parking areas.

Since morning, thousands of people have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam and nearby ghats. Many more are still on their way to take part in the ritual.

Chief Minister Adityanath is giving regular updates about the event from a special control room at his residence in Lucknow.

Kumbh SSP Rajesh Dwivedi assured that everything is running smoothly. "We are managing all crowded areas carefully. We have also improved arrangements since the last bath on Basant Panchami. More security forces have been deployed to ensure safe movement." he said.

The Chief Minister also sent his best wishes to the devotees. "Greetings to all saints, religious leaders, Kalpvasis, and devotees at the holy Triveni in Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj," he posted on social X. "May Lord Shri Hari bless everyone with happiness and prosperity. May Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna, and Maa Saraswati fulfill everyone's wishes."

To ensure a smooth event, traffic authorties  have taken special measures. The fair area has been a 'no-vehicle zone' since 4.00-am on Tuesday. From 5.00-pm, the entire city will also restrict vehicles, except for emergency and essential services.

Special police forces are managing crowded areas, and a detailed traffic plan is in place to avoid congestion. If needed, authorities can safely guide devotees out of the fairgrounds.

For easy transportation, the state transport department has added 1,200 extra shuttle buses. These buses will run every 10 minutes to help devotees return home comfortably.

Traffic Rules in Varanasi - In Varanasi, restrictions on outside vehicles are back in place. The ban was briefly lifted, but this caused heavy traffic jams across the city. To ease congestion, buses and vehicles without Varanasi registration are being diverted to parking zones outside the city. More parking areas have also been set up at schools and colleges. Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal confirmed that these measures will continue to ensure smooth movement in the city.

The grand Maha Kumbh will come to an end on February 26, marked by the final Amrit Snan, which coincides with the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. Devotees from across the country will gather to take the holy dip, seeking divine blessings on this sacred day.