The Akharas at Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh have announced their decision to resume the Amrit Snan ritual on Wednesday after initially postponing it due to a stampede-like situation and overcrowding at the Sangam ghats.
The President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Ravindra Puri, confirmed that the situation had improved, allowing the ritual to proceed in coordination with the Mela administration.
"Our snan was postponed in the morning after a massive crowd gathered at the ghats. We tried to postpone our snan. Now that the crowd has reduced and the ghats meant for our snan are being vacated, so it seems that all Akharas will be able to do snan today... We all, our Mahamandaleshwars, Mandaleshwars, Naga Sadhus and devotees will take a holy dip today," Puri said.
Puri further explained that the Akharas would also conduct their traditional processions but on a smaller scale.
"Our processions will be carried out as usual according to our tradition but will be at a smaller scale... We are in regular contact with the Mela administration... We have a lot of time and we are in no hurry. We can do snan even at night as it is Mauni Amavasya today," he added.
The decision follows chaotic scenes earlier in the day when misinformation reportedly led to panic among devotees.
Puri claimed, "In the morning, misinformation was spread to create fear in the minds of people. And they succeeded. In the morning when we talked to everyone, we found that the reality was different and a lot of rumours were spread... I want to urge people to not run towards Sangam and take a dip wherever they find Ganga ji."
CM appeals for caution
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to devotees to follow administrative instructions and avoid converging at a single ghat.
"Dear devotees, come to Prayagraj. Take bath at the ghat of Mother Ganga near which you are. Do not try to go towards Sangam Nose. All of you should follow the instructions of the administration and cooperate in making arrangements. People are bathing peacefully at all the ghats of Sangam. Do not pay any attention to any rumours," the CM posted on X.
Echoing this sentiment, Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya urged devotees to prioritise safety, stating, "I appeal to all the devotees that because a large crowd has gathered in Prayagraj today, they should not insist on taking a holy dip only at the Sangam Ghat. As of now, they should not leave their camps and look for their security."
Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti also expressed concern over the gathering, noting, "The number of gathered devotees is more than anticipated... I appeal to the people that the entire Mela Kshetra is Kumbh, hence they may take a bath at any ghat and not just the Triveni Ghat."
The Mela administration is closely monitoring the situation to prevent further disruptions.
The massive influx of devotees is expected to continue, as Mauni Amavasya marks the second Shahi Snan of the Maha Kumbh, drawing between 80 and 100 million pilgrims.
Significant upcoming bathing dates include February 3 (Basant Panchami—Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).
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