A “stampede-like” situation broke out at the Triveni Sangam in the early hours of Wednesday (January 29) as crores of devotees gathered for a holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya during the Maha Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.
Amid fears of multiple casualties, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the situation is “under control”, urging people not to believe “rumours”. “Around 8-10 crore devotees are present in Prayagraj today. There is continuous pressure due to the movement of devotees towards the Sangam Nose. A few devotees had suffered serious injuries when they tried to cross barricading on Akhara Marg,” the CM told the media about the stampede-like situation at Sangam.
But why are 10 crore devotees expected at the Maha Kumbh mela on Mauni Amavasya today? Let’s understand.
Mauni Amavasya is the most auspicious day of the
Maha Kumbh. Amrit Snan or a ‘holy dip’ on this day in the Triveni Sangam is considered the most important ritual of the religious gathering. Adding to this is the rare celestial alignment called ‘Triveni Yog’, occurring after a gap of 144 years, which has increased the significance of the day.
Triveni Sangam is the confluence of three holy rivers – the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
It is believed that people who bathe in the Sangam during Maha Kumbh, particularly on auspicious days like Mauni Amavasya, purify their sins and attain ‘moksha’ or salvation.
Mauni Amavasya falls on the day of the new Moon, when the illuminated part of the Moon faces the Sun and the dark side faces the Earth. Thus, the Moon is not visible to us.
The holy dip taken on
Mauni Amavasya is traditionally done in silence.
With Mauni Amavasya holding such significance, around 10 crore people are likely to perform Amrit Snan today.
Over 4 crore people took a holy dip in Triveni Sangam by 12 noon today.
Meanwhile, until January 28, more than 19.94 crore devotees have taken a dip since Maha Kumbh kicked off on January 13.
The Uttar Pradesh government has made several arrangements, including deploying tight security, to avoid security concerns as crores of devotees and pilgrims gather to take a holy dip on the biggest bathing day at Maha Kumbh.
The area of the mela has been declared a no-vehicle and no-VIP zone. As per an Indian Express report, there is no VIP protocol for dignitaries or a pass system for visitors.
Vehicles will not be allowed beyond the designated parking lots.
Saints and seers of the 13 akharas have been allotted exclusive entry and exit routes in the Sangam area.
“First of all, we have devised the zonal system, according to which those coming from the Arail side should take a bath at the Arail Ghat and those coming from the Jhusi side should take bath at Jhusi Ghat and so on,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Vaibhav Krishna told the newspaper.
The Railways is running special trains to Prayagraj for Mauni Amavasya.
A tragedy occurred at the Maha Kumbh between 1 am and 2 am when some devotees climbed over the barricades at Akhara Marg, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said.
“Between 1 am to 2 am, at the akhara route where arrangements were made for the Amrit Snan of the akharas, some devotees crossed over the barricades and were critically injured. They were immediately rushed to hospital where treatment was promptly ensured,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
According to Adityanath, some devotees were “seriously injured”.
As a sea of people turned up for the holy bath on Mauni Amavasya, a barrier broke, leading to injuries.
“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,” Akanksha Rana, Officer on Special Duty at the mela, said, as per PTI.
The Maha Kumbh continues to attract huge crowds, with the UP CM saying nearly 10 crore people are currently in Prayagraj.
“There is a heavy rush of pilgrims going to Sangam Nose but the administration is there. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also monitoring the scene and has called me four times since morning to take stock of the situation. Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda have also called,” Adityanath said.
While the Uttar Pradesh government has not divulged details about the number of casualties, PM Modi has offered his deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in the stampede.
“The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I am constantly in touch with the state government,” he wrote on X.
President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were among those who condoled the deaths in the stampede at Maha Kumbh.
In the wake of the tragic incident, akharas initially called off their Amrit Snan. However, they later decided to go ahead with the holy dip.
Saints are reaching in large numbers at the Sangam for the second Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya.
Speaking to the media, DIG Mahakumbh Vaibhav Krishna said earlier in the day that Amrit Snan was about to begin. “Everything will be carried out traditionally… The police and administration will assist all the akharas in their traditional processions… The situation is under control. We are looking into the causes of today morning’s incident. It happened because of a huge rush of devotees. More than 10 crore devotees are expected to arrive,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
With inputs from agencies
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Maha Kumbh stampede: Why the religious gathering is attracting 10 crore people today
