India, Jan. 5 -- Braving the bitter cold, devotees thronged the Sangam on Sunday for a holy dip in the Ganga during the ongoing Magh Mela.

Amid rows of tents, fluttering saffron pennants, and devotional music emanating for loudspeakers, devotees streamed into the Mela ground. Some arrived on two-wheelers, taking their vehicles up to the waterfront before they descended into the river for a dip. Others arrived from far and wide, lugging their bags with one hand while they clutched their children with the other.

The Akshayvat Marg on the Mela premises, one of the major thoroughfares leading to the holy river, saw a steady stream of pilgrims. Ashutosh Varshney, who had set up his camp near the Sangam, said there has been a rush of devotees...