Stampede breaks out at Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavasya, casualties feared

Around 2 am on Wednesday, as a sea of crowds converged at the Sangam and other ghats that constitute a 12-km long river bank, sirens of ambulances and police vehicles pierced through the religious chants that filled the air at Mela site after the stampede-like situation arose.

“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,” PTI quoted Akanksha Rana, officer on special duty at the mela, as saying.

According to an official, “The barricading system was not very effective in crowd management. It led to the crowds walking longer distances and many were agitated over the last many days. There were choke points which were created because of these diversions… During the Shahi Snan as well, there was some chaos and the mounted police had to wade into the waters to manage the crowds taking a dip along with the sadhus. This time the crowds were simply too immense.”

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The Amrit Snan or the ‘holy bath’ on Mauni Amavasya is considered to be the most significant ritual at the Maha Kumbh and is likely to attract around 10 crore pilgrims. A rare celestial alignment called ‘Triveni Yog’, occurring after a gap of 144 years, has also added to the spiritual significance of the date this year.

Anticipating a huge influx of people on this occasion, the mela authorities on Tuesday had issued an advisory to the devotees to urging them to follow crowd-management guidelines for safety and convenience.

The crowd gathered for ‘Amrit Snan’ on Mauni Amavasya at the Maha Kumbh Mela on Wednesday morning. A stampede-like situation broke out after a barrier reportedly broke. (Express Photo: Chitral Khambhati)

As per the guidelines, pilgrims were advised to use designated lanes to the Sangam Ghat and maintain a queues while approaching the bathing area. They were asked to avoid roaming around at the ghats after the holy dip and urged to immediately proceed to the parking areas or their destinations to ensure smooth movement.

In order to prevent untoward incidents, visitors were advised to remain patient and avoid rushing at barricades and pontoon bridges. “All ghats at Sangam are equally sacred,” the administration emphasised encouraging people to take a dip at whichever ghat they reach first “to prevent overcrowding”.

Naresh Kumar, a safai karamchari working at the Maha Kumbh site for the past two months, said, “The crowds had become unmanageable because the pontoon bridges were not used to it’s full capacity. A few of them were closed because of which there was overcrowding. They should have operated all the bridges.”

Triveni Sangam — a confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati — is believed to be the holiest by Hindus, who believe that taking a dip in it during Maha Kumbh, and especially on special days like Mauni Amavasya, purifies people from their sins and provides them ‘moksha’ or salvation.

Crowd at Maha Kumbh Mela on Mauni Amavasya in Prayagraj on January 29. (Express photo/ Chitral Khambhati)

Situation under control but crowd size remains massive: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the situation at Prayagraj is under control at present, however the size of the crowd remains massive.”Around 8-10 crore devotees are present in Prayagraj today. There is continuous pressure due to the movement of devotees towards the Sangam Nose,” he said. “The situation in Prayagraj is under control but the crowd size remains massive,” he added.  He said a number of monks of different Akhaaras offered to take holy dip only after ordinary devotees are done taking the bath and the crowds reduce.

“There are large crowds at Sangam Nose, Nag Vasuki Marg and Sangam Marg. I appeal to the devotees to not pay attention to any rumour,” Yogi said. “We are ensuring proper medical treatment of the injured persons. The Railways have organised special trains from different stations of Prayagraj region to take devotees back to their respective destinations, ” he added.

PM Modi speaks to Adityanath over Maha Kumbh stampede situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled UP CM Adityanath to take stock of the situation at the stampede site at Maha Kumbh and called for immediate measures, reported PTI. “PM Modi spoke to Yogi Ji about the situation at the Kumbh Mela, reviewed the developments, and called for immediate support measures,” an official told the news agency.

Akharas call off Amrit Snan

In view of the emergency situation, the Akharas called off their traditional ‘Amrit Snan’ even a large number of ordinary devotees continued to take a dip at Sangam. “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’,” PTI quoted Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri as saying.

As per tradition, Akharas belonging to the three sects ‘Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen’ take the holy dip in a sequence following a grand procession to the Sangam Ghat during the Maha Kumbh.