Stampede At Maha Kumbh 2025
As the crowd grew about a kilometer from the ‘Sangam,’ barricades collapsed, causing some women to faint and struggle to breathe.”About 30 women were injured in a stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh on the morning of Mauni Amavasya, leading Akharas to postpone the holy dip.
As millions of devotees gathered in the tent city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, for the ‘Amrit Snan,’ barricades about a kilometer from the ‘Sangam’ collapsed, causing some women to faint. When they fell unconscious, panic spread, leading to a stampede-like situation. The injured were taken to a hospital within the Maha Kumbh fairgrounds, while those with serious injuries were sent to Bailey Hospital and Swaroop Rani Medical College for treatment.
Akhada Parishad General Secretary and Juna Akhara Patron, Mahant Hari Giri, urged devotees to bathe in the Ganga River wherever they are and then return home.Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and asked him to arrange immediate help. To prevent similar incidents, authorities closed pontoon bridges in the fairgrounds.
Authorities tightened security, using AI-powered surveillance, drones, and extra police to manage the huge crowds. The Mela area is already a no-vehicle zone for the next few days. The Prayagraj administration has also asked local residents to avoid using cars and only use two-wheelers if they are transporting senior citizens to the Sangam.
The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh
The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most important ritual of the Maha Kumbh. This year, it holds extra spiritual significance because of a rare celestial event called ‘Triveni Yog,’ which happens once every 144 years.As per Kumbh Mela tradition, Akharas from the three sects—’Sanyasi,’ ‘Bairagi,’ and ‘Udaseen’—take the holy dip in a set order, following a grand procession to the Sangam Ghat.
The Uttar Pradesh government has stationed over 1,000 medical professionals in the Maha Kumbh area, with facilities for all types of surgeries in every part of the fairgrounds, according to an official statement. Additionally, 300 specialist doctors are at a super-specialty hospital in Mahakumbh Nagar to handle emergencies.
The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims
The seers and saints, including the ash-smeared Nagas, then take a dip in the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers on special bathing days like Mauni Amavasya. Mauni Amavasya is considered the most sacred of these days, as it’s believed that on this day, the water of the holy rivers turns into ‘Amrit.’ The government also planned to shower 25 quintals of rose petals from helicopters on the devotees.
Over the past 17 days, more than 15 crore pilgrims have taken a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. On Tuesday alone, over 4.80 crore devotees took part in the bath, which was even more than the number on Makar Sankranti during the Amrit Snan (3.5 crore), according to the Uttar Pradesh. The Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will run until February 26.
