National
December 24, 2021

The Ganga which has changed its course by shifting westwards, there is now less land left for the upcoming Magh Mela in Prayagraj. Because of the changing course, the land has been decreased which has led to withholding different religious long fair and mela.
According to the reports, in 2004, the river had shifted towards the east and pilgrim had to walk a longer distance to reach the Sangam- the confluence point of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati. Shesh Mani Pandey, Mela Officer stated that the current of the river is quite strong and our experts are working tirelessly to minimise the erosion. We are keeping a tight vigil on the currents. Water carpenters, known as ‘Bind-Mallaha’, have been asked to make crates with bamboo and place the same at carefully selected points at the banks where the river is causing erosion.
The report further stated that the JCB will be pressed into service which is making points for fixing the crates to check the erosion.
The Magh Mela, is an annual religious festival held in the month of Magh (January/February) near riverbanks and sacred tanks near Hindu temples. Every 12 years, Magha Melas turns into the Kumbh Mela. Lakhs of devotees’ camp on the banks of the rivers and take a holy dip every day while religious outfits and sects set up their camps on the river banks during the period.
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