Magh Mela 2027 will be held from Jan 14 (Makar Sankranti) to March 6
Prayagraj : Organisations that obtain land and facility slips for Magh Mela but fail to set up camps will not be given space in the 2027 edition, with the mela administration identifying 743 such organisations for blacklisting. The decision follows a sharp rise in the number of organisations seeking facilities during Magh Mela 2026. While around 2,500 to 2,700 organisations generally participate in the annual mela, more than 7,000 organisations had sought facilities this year following the extensive publicity generated by the Maha Kumbh. The mela administration eventually allotted land to more than 6,000 organisations. A subsequent audit found that 743 organisations did not set up their camps despite obtaining facility slips.
The move is aimed at ensuring that land and facilities are allotted to organisations genuinely involved in religious, social, cultural and awareness activities. During the mela, officials verified whether organisations that had been allotted land actually established camps. Officials also found that several of these organisations had a poor record in previous melas.
Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Magh Mela 2027 will be held from Jan 14 ( Makar Sankranti ) to March 6, with several major bathing dates drawing large crowds. Paush Purnima, the first major bathing festival, will be observed on Jan 22, followed by Mauni Amavasya on Feb 6, Basant Panchami on Feb 11 and Maghi Purnima on Feb 20. Mahashivratri, the concluding major bathing occasion, will be observed on March 6. With preparations for the 52-day mela underway, the administration is expected to scrutinise applications more closely to prevent the allotment of land and facilities to non-participating organisations.
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Mela SDM Vivek Shukla said there was no point reconsidering applications from organisations that obtain facility slips but do not establish camps. He said space would be allotted only to organisations that actually carry out activities during the mela and that senior officials had already been informed about the decision. The administration has now decided that such organisations will be excluded from future allotments, allowing genuine applicants to get space and facilities. The move is also expected to help the mela authorities promote cultural activities and ensure better utilisation of the limited land and infrastructure available in the mela area. Download the TOI App.