Maha Kumbh stampede: Why the spiritual gathering is attracting 10 crore folks right this moment

A “stampede-like” state of affairs broke out on the Triveni Sangam within the early hours of Wednesday (January 29) as crores of devotees gathered for a holy bathtub on the event of Mauni Amavasya throughout the Maha Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.

Amid fears of a number of casualties, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated the state of affairs is “below management”, urging folks to not imagine “rumours”. “Round 8-10 crore devotees are current in Prayagraj right this moment. There may be steady strain as a result of motion of devotees in direction of the Sangam Nostril. A couple of devotees had suffered severe accidents after they tried to cross barricading on Akhara Marg,” the CM informed the media concerning the stampede-like state of affairs at Sangam.

However why are 10 crore devotees anticipated on the Maha Kumbh mela on Mauni Amavasya right this moment? Let’s perceive.

Significance of Mauni Amavasya

Mauni Amavasya is probably the most auspicious day of the
Maha Kumbh. Amrit Snan or a ‘holy dip’ on this present day within the Triveni Sangam is taken into account an important ritual of the spiritual gathering. Including to that is the uncommon celestial alignment referred to as ‘Triveni Yog’, occurring after a spot of 144 years, which has elevated the importance of the day.

Triveni Sangam is the confluence of three holy rivers – the Ganga, Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati.

It’s believed that individuals who bathe within the Sangam throughout Maha Kumbh, significantly on auspicious days like Mauni Amavasya, purify their sins and attain ‘moksha’ or salvation.

Mauni Amavasya falls on the day of the brand new Moon, when the illuminated a part of the Moon faces the Solar and the darkish facet faces the Earth. Thus, the Moon just isn’t seen to us.

The holy dip taken on
Mauni Amavasya is historically completed in silence.

With Mauni Amavasya holding such significance, round 10 crore persons are more likely to carry out Amrit Snan right this moment.

Over 4 crore folks took a holy dip in Triveni Sangam by 12 midday right this moment.

In the meantime, till January 28, greater than 19.94 crore devotees have taken a dip since Maha Kumbh kicked off on January 13.

Preparations for Mauni Amavasya

The Uttar Pradesh authorities has made a number of preparations, together with deploying tight safety, to keep away from safety considerations as crores of devotees and pilgrims collect to take a holy dip on the most important bathing day at Maha Kumbh.

The realm of the mela has been declared a no-vehicle and no-VIP zone. As per an Indian Categorical report, there isn’t a VIP protocol for dignitaries or a go system for guests.

Automobiles is not going to be allowed past the designated parking tons.

Saints and seers of the 13 akharas have been allotted unique entry and exit routes within the Sangam space.

“Initially, now we have devised the zonal system, in keeping with which these coming from the Arail facet ought to take a shower on the Arail Ghat and people coming from the Jhusi facet ought to take bathtub at Jhusi Ghat and so forth,” Deputy Inspector Normal (DIG) Vaibhav Krishna informed the newspaper.

The Railways is working particular trains to Prayagraj for Mauni Amavasya.

‘Stampede’ at Maha Kumbh

A tragedy occurred on the Maha Kumbh between 1 am and a pair of am when some devotees climbed over the barricades at Akhara Marg, UP CM Yogi Adityanath stated.

“Between 1 am to 2 am, on the akhara route the place preparations had been made for the Amrit Snan of the akharas, some devotees crossed over the barricades and had been critically injured. They had been instantly rushed to hospital the place therapy was promptly ensured,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

#WATCH | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says,” The state of affairs in Prayagraj is below management…”

“Round 8-10 crore devotees are current in Prayagraj right this moment. There may be steady strain as a result of motion of devotees in direction of the Sangam Nostril. A couple of devotees have… pic.twitter.com/lOc1OIraqm

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025

In line with Adityanath, some devotees had been “significantly injured”.

As a sea of individuals turned up for the holy bathtub on Mauni Amavasya, a barrier broke, resulting in accidents.

“Some folks have gotten injured and have been hospitalised after a barrier broke on the Sangam. We’re but to have the precise rely of these injured,” Akanksha Rana, Officer on Particular Obligation on the mela, stated, as per PTI.

The Maha Kumbh continues to draw large crowds, with the UP CM saying almost 10 crore persons are at present in Prayagraj.

“There’s a heavy rush of pilgrims going to Sangam Nostril however the administration is there. Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be monitoring the scene and has referred to as me 4 instances since morning to take inventory of the state of affairs. Residence Minister Amit Shah and BJP nationwide president JP Nadda have additionally referred to as,” Adityanath stated.

Whereas the Uttar Pradesh authorities has not divulged particulars concerning the variety of casualties, PM Modi has supplied his deepest condolences to those that misplaced family members within the stampede.

“The accident that occurred in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extraordinarily unhappy. My deepest condolences to the devotees who’ve misplaced their family members on this. Together with this, I want for the speedy restoration of all of the injured. The native administration is engaged in serving to the victims in each doable method. On this regard, I’ve spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I’m continuously in contact with the state authorities,” he wrote on X.

प्रयागराज महाकुंभ में हुआ हादसा अत्यंत दुखद है। इसमें जिन श्रद्धालुओं ने अपने परिजनों को खोया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। इसके साथ ही मैं सभी घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। स्थानीय प्रशासन पीड़ितों की हरसंभव मदद में जुटा हुआ है। इस सिलसिले में मैंने…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2025

President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had been amongst those that condoled the deaths within the stampede at Maha Kumbh.

Within the wake of the tragic incident, akharas initially referred to as off their Amrit Snan. Nonetheless, they later determined to go forward with the holy dip.

Saints are reaching in massive numbers on the Sangam for the second Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya.

Talking to the media, DIG Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna stated earlier within the day that Amrit Snan was about to start. “Every part can be carried out historically… The police and administration will help all of the akharas of their conventional processions… The state of affairs is below management. We’re trying into the causes of right this moment morning’s incident. It occurred due to an enormous rush of devotees. Greater than 10 crore devotees are anticipated to reach,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

With inputs from businesses