Multiple deaths are feared after a 'stampede-like situation' broke out at Mahakumbh on Wednesday as a huge crowd turned up for the holy bath at Sangam on Mauni Amavasya.
The Mauni Amavasya is considered the most auspicious day of the Mahakumbh Mela, and an 'Amrit Snan' on the day is regarded as the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh. This year, a rare celestial alignment called 'Triveni Yog' is occurring after 144 years, amplifying the spiritual significance of the day. The belief is that taking a dip in it during Mahakumbh, especially on days like Mauni Amavasya, absolves sins and provides them 'moksha' or salvation.
Footage from the Mahakumbh showed crores of devotees turn up at the Sangam early on Wednesday for the holy dip. The incident occurred around 2 am on Wednesday at the Sangam.
Mahakumbh special executive officer Akanksha Rana said the incident happened when some barriers put up by authorities to control the crowd broke. Many who arrived at the ghat for the holy dip experienced jostling around the same time.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Rescue operations are underway after a stampede-like situation arose in Maha Kumbh and several people were reported injured. https://t.co/4z63F7pAS9 pic.twitter.com/YxZHXIoy51
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
#WATCH | #Mahakumbh | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: On the reports of a stampede at the Maha Kumbh, Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana says, "On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured. They are under treatment.… pic.twitter.com/SgLRVXMlgf
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2025
A devotee from Karnataka said that people suddenly began pushing. She said that a lot of them fell down and the crowd went uncontrolled. "There was no chance for escape, there was pushing from all sides," Sarojini from Karnataka told PTI Videos.
There are also reports that an initial stampede occurred around 1 a, but was "not serious". Witnesses said devotees trying to escape it were caught in another stampede at an exit. Those who returned to the pontoon bridges looking for another way found it had been closed by authorities.
"I saw many people falling and getting walked on by the crowd...many children and women getting lost, crying for help," said Ravin, a devotee, told Reuters.
#WATCH | #MahaKumbh2025 | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Drone visuals from the Ghats of Triveni as a huge number of devotees reach for the Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya pic.twitter.com/QQt4BSIKFr
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2025
Anticipating a huge rush, the Mela authorities issued an advisory urging devotees to follow crowd-management guidelines and to use designated lanes to reach Sangam Ghat, stay in their lanes while approaching the bathing area, and avoid lingering at ghats after the holy dip.
They had also put up barricades and pontoon bridges, avoiding rushing or jostling to prevent accidents, and had urged people to use other ghats at Sangam created along a 12-km long range of river banks for the Maha Kumbh.
In view of the incident, the Akharas called off their traditional 'Amrit Snan' for Mauni Amavasya, even as devotees in large numbers continued to take a dip at Sangam and other ghats in the Mela area.
Akharas call off Snan
Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Ravindra Puri on Wednesday confirmed that the Akharas will not participate in the Snan today in the ongoing Mahakumbh after chaos erupted due to large crowds. He appealed to the people to come on Vasant Panchmi for a snan instead of today.
He stated that the incident happened because devotees wanted to reach Sangam Ghat. "In the public interest, we decided that the Akharas will not participate in the snan today. I appeal to the people to come on Vasant Panchami for a snan instead of today. The incident happened because devotees wanted to reach Sangam Ghat; instead they should take a dip wherever they see the Holy Ganga," Puri told ANI.
