PRAYAGRAJ, Jan. 29 -- The vision of turning Magh Mela-2026 into a "Mini Kumbh" is taking shape, as unprecedented crowds continue to throng the annual religious fair. According to the Mela Administration, over 18 crore pilgrims have taken the holy dip at the Sangam till Tuesday, and numbers are expected to rise further in the coming days.

With the 44-day fair moving towards its conclusion and the last major bathing festival of Mahashivaratri scheduled for February 15, devotees are still arriving in large numbers.

Crowds were particularly heavy on Tuesday and Wednesday, even though these days were neither major bathing days nor marked by any special religious occasion. Officials say pilgrims are eager to take a sacred bath before the fair...