PRAYAGRAJ, Feb. 15 -- The final bathing day of the Magh Mela will conclude on Sunday with Mahashivratri, and around 16 lakh devotees are expected to take a holy dip at the Sangam. Preparations were completed a day earlier, with officials working to repair and reinforce the ghats after rising water levels caused difficulties during the previous bathing day. The Magh Mela, which began on January 3 with Paush Purnima, has seen a larger turnout this year as it is the first fair after the Maha Kumbh. Every major bathing event since Mauni Amavasya has drawn unprecedented crowds, and officials expect a similar rush for Mahashivratri. While 9.70 lakh devotees bathed on Mahashivratri in 2024, the administration had initially estimated 25 to 30 lakh visitors this year. However, due to relatively smaller crowds after Maghi Purnima, the estimate was revised on Saturday to 15 to 16 lakh devotees. Water levels, which were low on Basant Panchami and Maghi Purnima, have increased over the past two days, with 8,000 to 10,000 cusecs of water currently flowing into the confluence. To counter this, ghats were repaired throughout Saturday, erosion-control sacks were placed, and straw was spread across all vulnerable points. Special arrangements have been made at prominent temples including Dashashwamedh, Nagvasuki, Mankameshwar, Gangoli Shivalaya and Someshwar Mahadev. CCTV cameras and LED screens have been installed to monitor movement, and magistrates will be deployed for better coordination. Mela officer Rishi Raj said that all preparations are complete for the final bathing and added that continuous communication will be maintained with Shiva temples to ensure smooth crowd management. He assured that devotees will be able to bathe safely at the Sangam and return after darshan without any inconvenience....