Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 29: A tragic stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday left multiple people dead and many injured as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
While the Uttar Pradesh government remained silent on the exact number of casualties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deepest condolences, calling the incident “extremely saddening.” In a post on X, he assured that the local administration in Prayagraj is extending all possible assistance to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Speaking at a poll rally in Delhi, Modi acknowledged the tragedy, saying, “We lost some good souls in the unfortunate incident at Kumbh, and some have been injured. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the injured.” He added that he is in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh government and acknowledged the overwhelming crowd pressure at the ghats.
Chaos at Akhara Marg Led to Stampede
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the incident occurred between 1 am and 2 am when some devotees climbed over the barricades at Akhara Marg, triggering a deadly rush. “Critically injured devotees were immediately rushed to the hospital, where they received prompt medical attention,” he said after a high-level meeting in Lucknow.
The situation at the Mela ground turned chaotic around 2 am, as ambulance sirens pierced through the chants of mantras and shlokas echoing from loudspeakers. Security personnel and rescue workers were seen carrying the injured on stretchers, with blankets, bags, and belongings strewn across the site.
Security Measures and Delayed Akhara Bathing
Following the tragedy, Adityanath held discussions with Akhara Parishad heads and senior saints, reaching a consensus that akhara seers would take the holy dip only after the crowd pressure eased. “Our first priority is to ensure the safety of devotees,” the CM stated, while urging pilgrims to use alternative ghats instead of rushing to the Sangam Nose.
Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad head Mahant Ravindra Puri acknowledged the overcrowding at the Sangam Ghat, which led to a delay in the traditional akhara bathing rituals. However, he refrained from directly addressing the stampede.
Firsthand Accounts of Panic and Horror
Many pilgrims described the horrifying moments of the stampede.
Sarojini, a devotee from Karnataka, recalled, “We came in a group of 60 people. Suddenly, the crowd surged, and we were trapped. Many fell down, and there was no escape.”
A man from Chhattarpur, Madhya Pradesh, said his mother was hospitalized after suffering injuries in the chaos. Meanwhile, a couple from Meghalaya walked away from the crowd, sobbing as they recounted their terrifying ordeal.
Another woman at the hospital, whose child was injured, described the merciless pushing and shoving. “Some people were laughing as we begged them to be kind towards the children,” she said.
Mela Authorities Issued Crowd Warnings
Anticipating massive pilgrim inflows, the Mela administration had issued an advisory on Tuesday, urging devotees to:
- Use designated lanes to reach the Sangam Ghat.
- Avoid lingering at ghats after their holy dip.
- Refrain from rushing at barricades and pontoon bridges to prevent accidents.
- Consider all ghats equally sacred and bathe at the nearest available spot to ease overcrowding.
A Mega Event Amid Safety Concerns
Held once in 12 years, the Maha Kumbh commenced on January 13 and will continue till February 26. The Triveni Sangam—confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati—is considered the holiest Hindu pilgrimage site, with millions believing that a dip here during Maha Kumbh washes away sins and grants salvation.
Despite heavy security and prior warnings, Wednesday’s tragedy underscores the severe crowd management challenges at the world’s largest religious gathering.
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