Wed Feb 12 18:54:54 UTC 2025: ## Massive Crowds Gather for Magh Purnima Holy Dip in Prayagraj and Across India
**Prayagraj/Patna, India** – Millions of devotees thronged Prayagraj, the site of the ongoing Kumbh Mela, on the 31st day, marking the fifth bathing festival of Magh Purnima. The scale of the gathering mirrored that of the previous Mau Ni Amavasya festival, with pilgrims filling a 10-kilometer radius around the city. Similar scenes unfolded across Uttar Pradesh and in other states, including Bihar’s capital Patna, where thousands flocked to the banks of the Ganges River to participate in the sacred ritual.
Devotees took a holy dip in the Ganges, offering prayers to Lord Vishnu, Goddess Mahalaxmi, and the Moon God. According to religious beliefs, a Magh Purnima bath and subsequent prayers are believed to grant wishes and cleanse sins, fostering spiritual renewal. The festival witnessed immense enthusiasm among the faithful.
In Purnea, Bihar, thousands of devotees gathered at the Saura River, a tributary, for the Magh Purnima bath, performing rituals and prayers for prosperity and family well-being. Some locals stated that those unable to attend the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj chose to participate in the local river ritual, emphasizing its significance.
First Piper 