Mahakumbh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh: A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh during the early hours of Wednesday resulted in the deaths of at least seven people, with nearly ten others sustaining injuries, according to official reports. The chaos unfolded at around 1 AM near the Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, as throngs of devotees rushed for the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, the most auspicious bathing day of the festival.
Drone footage showed millions of devotees packed shoulder to shoulder, braving the pre-dawn chill to participate in the ritual. The exact cause of the stampede remains uncertain, but disturbing visuals of bodies on stretchers, abandoned belongings, and panic-stricken crowds trying to escape highlighted the severity of the situation. Akanksha Rana, the Officer on Special Duty for the Mela, confirmed that some injured individuals had been hospitalized, adding, “A barrier collapse at the Sangam contributed to the accident. We are verifying the total number of injured persons.”
Amrit Snan Cancelled Amid Grief
In response to the tragedy, the Akhara Parishad decided to cancel the Amrit Snan, the highly anticipated ritual scheduled for Mauni Amavasya. Despite the cancellation, many pilgrims continued their spiritual bath at various ghats. This year’s Mauni Amavasya holds special significance due to the rare Triveni Yog celestial alignment, occurring after 144 years.
Expressing sorrow, Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, stated, “Our saints and seers were prepared for the Snan, but after witnessing the tragic incident, we chose to cancel it in mourning.” Traditionally, Akharas from Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen sects take the ceremonial dip in a set order, accompanied by a grand procession to the Sangam Ghat.
PM Modi Takes Stock of the Situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly held a review meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, directing swift action and immediate relief measures for the affected families.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing experiences of being caught in the chaos. Sarojini from Karnataka, weeping outside a hospital, recounted, “We came as a group of 60. Suddenly, the crowd surged, and we were trapped. Many people fell, and there was no way out.” A Madhya Pradesh resident reported that his mother sustained injuries and was hospitalized, while a couple from Meghalaya remained shaken after their terrifying ordeal.
Authorities Issued Advisory Before the Incident
Anticipating massive crowds, the Mela authorities had issued an advisory on Tuesday, urging devotees to follow crowd-management guidelines. Pilgrims were reminded to stay patient at barricades and pontoon bridges and to bathe at the nearest ghat to prevent dangerous overcrowding.
Held once every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 commenced on January 13 and will continue until February 26. The Uttar Pradesh government expects an unprecedented footfall of nearly 40 crore pilgrims, making it the largest spiritual gathering in the world.
