Magh Mela: Ancient Traditions, Mughal Taxes, and the World's Largest Tent City

• Magh Mela, an annual Hindu festival in Prayagraj, begins with Makar Sankranti and is considered as sacred as Kumbh Mela.
• It is held at the Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and invisible Saraswati) where drops of nectar are believed to have fallen during Samudra Manthan.
• The Mela features 'Kalpavas,' a month-long period of strict discipline, fasting, meditation, and sattvic living by devotees on the Sangam's sands.
• A temporary 'tent city' is erected, complete with roads, utilities, hospitals, and police stations, making it the world's largest temporary metropolis.
• Historically, Mughals like Akbar imposed and later withdrew taxes on the Mela, and its origins date back at least 2,000-2,500 years, with mentions in ancient texts and by traveler Xuanzang.

Why It Matters: Magh Mela in Prayagraj is an ancient, sacred annual gathering at the Sangam, featuring unique rituals and a massive temporary city.