News Arena Network - Prayagraj - UPDATED: January 29, 2025, 09:40 AM - 2 min read
Rescue operation underway after a stampede occurred on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ during the ongoing ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ festival, in Prayagraj, Wednesday.
Several people are feared dead following a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, as scores of people gathered for a holy dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest days of the event.
While officials have not yet provided an update on the casualties, sources familiar with the situation reported that at least 15 bodies had been brought to hospitals.
"Some people have been injured and hospitalised after a barrier broke at the Sangam. We are yet to have the exact count of those injured," Officer on Special Duty for the Mela, Akanksha Rana, said.
Several casualties have allegedly been reported during the stampede.
The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh and is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims.
This year, a rare celestial alignment called 'Triveni Yog' is occurring after 144 years, amplifying the spiritual significance of the day.
Around 2 am, the blaring sirens of ambulances and police vehicles rushing to the Sangam pierced through the continuous chants of mantras and shlokas echoing from loudspeakers across the Kumbh Mela area.
The injured were taken to the central hospital established in the Mela area. Relatives of many injured also reached the hospital, as did some senior administrative and police officials.
"We came in a batch of 60 people in two buses, and we were nine people in the group. Suddenly, there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell, and the crowd went uncontrolled," Sarojini from Karnataka said, weeping outside the hospital.
"There was no chance for escape, there was pushing from all sides," she recounted.
While devotees continued their holy bath after the incident, the Akharas, that had initially called off their traditional Amrit Snan for Mauni Amavasya were later called off.
"You would've seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to... All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident. That's why we have decided to call off our 'snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya'," Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri said.
Later, 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.
As per tradition of the Kumbh Mela, Akharas belonging to the three sects 'Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen' take the holy dip in a set sequence following a majestic, awe-inspiring procession to the Sangam Ghat.
PM Modi speaks to UP CM Yogi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and called for immediate support measures.
Bags and other belongings lying at the scene after a stampede occurred at Sangam on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ during the ongoing ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ festival, in Prayagraj, Wednesday.Caption
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