New Delhi, Feb. 12 -- The Maghi Purnima sacred bath began early Wednesday as millions of devotees gathered in the Maha Kumbh Mela area in Prayagraj amid elaborate traffic, crow control and safety measures.

Lakhs of devotees have already taken the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and other ghats since the bathing started early morning.

"We have made elaborate arrangements during the previous 'snan' on Basant Panchami too. Our arrangements have been further augmented this time. More deployment has been done at all the pressure points. Along with that, we are briefing people to ensure a smooth movement," Kumbh SSP Rajesh Dwivedi said, PTI reported.

Officials said the state transport department has arranged 1,200 additional shuttle buses, wh...