The Uttar Pradesh government has arranged for inmates to participate in a ritual bath using Sangam water from the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. On February 21, holy water will be brought to prisons across the state, allowing inmates to perform the sacred bath, followed by prayers and rituals on the same day.
State Jail Minister Dara Singh Chauhan stated, “The ritual bath with Sangam water will take place in all jails across UP. I will personally visit Lucknow jail on February 21 to be part of this initiative.”
With over 90,000 inmates across 75 prisons, this marks the first time such an initiative is being carried out for prisoners who wish to take part in the tradition. Jail officials have arranged for staff to travel to Prayagraj to collect the holy water. While some are gathering it directly from the Sangam, others are relying on Naini Central Jail, which is facilitating distribution to other prisons.
Once delivered, the sacred water will be stored in shallow containers placed in different sections of the prisons, allowing inmates to mix it with water for their ritual bath. In some facilities, water tanks will be cleaned and then filled with a mix of Sangam water and regular supply to ensure equal access for all prisoners.
