Maha Kumbh 2025: Stampede-like situation on Mauni Amavasya, casualties feared

Multiple casualties were feared after a stampedelike situation broke out at the Sangam on Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya officials said reported news agency PTIIn 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 areaOfficer on Special Duty for the Mela Akanksha Rana said Some people have got injured and have been hospitalised after a barrier broke at the Sangam We are yet to have the exact count of those injured reported PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation in a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and called for immediate support measures according to officials reported PTIThe Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh 2025 and is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrimsThis year a rare celestial alignment called Triveni Yog is occurring after 144 years amplifying the spiritual significance of the dayAround 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 Maha Kumbh 2025 area reported PTIThose injured were taken to the central hospital established in the Mela area Relatives of many injured also reached there as did some senior administrative and police officials reported PTIWe came in a batch of 60 people in two buses we were nine people in the group Suddenly there was pushing in the crowd and we got trapped A lot of us fell down and the crowd went uncontrolled Sarojini from Karnataka said weeping outside the hospital reported PTIThere was no chance for escape there was pushing from all sides the woman told PTI VideosA man from Chhattarpur in Madhya Pradesh said his mother was injured and hospitalised while a middleaged married couple from Meghalaya walked away from the crowd both of them sobbing and narrating to reporters their harrowing experience of getting caught up in the ruckusAnother woman at the hospital whose child suffered injuries in the chaos narrated her ordeal claiming There was nowhere to go Some people who pushed us were laughing while we begged them for kindness towards the children reported PTIThe incident occurred around 2 pm on Wednesday amid a sea of tightlypacked crowds converging at the Sangam and all other ghats created along a 12km long range of river banks for the Maha KumbhWhile ordinary devotees continued their holy bath after the incident the Akharas monastic orders called off their traditional Amrit Snan for Mauni AmavasyaYou wouldve seen what happened in the morning and thats why we have decided to All of our saints and seers were ready for the snan when we were informed about this incident Thats why we have decided to call off our snan on Mauni Amavasya Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri said reported PTIAs 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 aweinspiring procession to the Sangam Ghat reported PTIThe Triveni Sangam confluence of Ganga Yamuna and Saraswati is considered the holiest by Hindus with a belief that taking a dip in it during Maha Kumbh and particularly on special bathing dates like Mauni Amavasya washes away peoples sins and provides them moksha or salvationOn Tuesday in view of the anticipated influx of pilgrims the Mela authorities issued an advisory urging devotees to follow crowdmanagement guidelines for safety and conveniencePilgrims were asked 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 were urged to proceed promptly to parking areas or their destinations to ensure smooth movementVisitors were reminded to remain patient at barricades and pontoon bridges avoiding rushing or jostling to prevent accidents The administration emphasised that all ghats at Sangam are equally sacred encouraging devotees to bathe at the first ghat they reach to prevent overcrowdingBeing held after 12 years the Maha Kumbh kicked off on January 13 and will continue till February 26 The UP government hosting the fair expects a total footfall of around 40 crore pilgrims at the largest spiritual gathering on the planetWith inputs from PTI