PRAYAGRAJ, Jan. 4 -- The 44-day-long Magh Mela this year is expected to present a significant challenge for the district administration and police, with crowd management proving to be a crucial test on 24 designated days.

In addition to the main and special bathing festivals, large crowds are also anticipated every Tuesday and Saturday. Keeping this in view, the Mela Police have prepared a detailed chart marking 24 sensitive days and devised a special strategy to manage the expected surge, officials said.

The Magh Mela commenced with the Paush Purnima bathing festival on Saturday (January 3) and will conclude with the sixth and final holy bath on Maha Shivaratri (February 15). Other major bathing dates include Makar Sankranti (January 1...