The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a grand congregation of faith, witnessed a tragic stampede despite extensive arrangements by the Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday at Sangam Ghat, resulting in 15 deaths and several injuries. Chaos erupted as an estimated 10 crore pilgrims gathered for the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya, drawn by the celestial significance of the Triveni Yog.
It is commendable that authorities acted swiftly upon receiving reports of the stampede. Injured devotees were immediately transported to Central Hospital, and Chief Minister Adityanath convened a high-level meeting to assess the situation. He reassured the public that while the government had taken all necessary precautions, the unprecedented crowd pressure led to the unfortunate incident.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda responded swiftly, maintaining constant communication and closely monitoring developments despite their busy schedules. To prevent further chaos, Adityanath coordinated with Akhara Parishad leaders, ensuring that saints and seers postponed their ritual bath until the crowd pressure eased.
The tragedy reportedly occurred between 1 am and 2 am when some devotees attempted to breach barricades at Akhara Marg, an area designated for Akhara saints’ bathing rituals. The resulting surge led to a stampede, critically injuring several pilgrims. Witness accounts describe a scene of panic, with people trapped and unable to escape the pushing crowd. Emergency services responded promptly, with ambulances and police vehicles rushing to the site amid the chants of prayers and mantras resonating across the Mela grounds.
Pilgrims narrated harrowing experiences of being caught in the stampede. Sarojini, a devotee from Karnataka, recounted how she and her group of 60 were suddenly overwhelmed by the surge. Others described desperate attempts to protect children and the elderly as the crowd grew uncontrollable. A woman at the hospital lamented that some individuals laughed as others pleaded for space to escape.
Mahant Ravindra Puri, head of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, emphasized that the bathing ritual of the Akharas had been postponed due to overcrowding. However, he refrained from directly linking the decision to the stampede. The administration, anticipating an overwhelming number of pilgrims, had issued advisories urging devotees to follow designated paths, avoid overcrowding, and disperse promptly after taking the holy dip.
Despite these measures, many overzealous pilgrims ignored instructions, leading to congestion at sensitive points. The administration had repeatedly emphasized that all ghats along the Sangam were equally sacred, urging devotees to perform their rituals at the nearest available location rather than converging at specific sites.
The tragic loss of lives underscores the importance of discipline and adherence to safety guidelines during massive religious gatherings. The Maha Kumbh, which occurs once every 144 years, is an event of immense spiritual significance for Sanathanis. However, this sacred occasion must not be marred by disorder and preventable casualties.
While the government has taken exhaustive steps to manage crowds and ensure safety, pilgrims must also exercise restraint and responsibility. Religious fervour should not come at the cost of human lives. The authorities have once again appealed to devotees to take their holy dip at the nearest available ghats, rather than pushing through congested areas, to prevent any further mishaps.
As the Maha Kumbh progresses, the focus must remain on safety, spiritual fulfillment, and the collective responsibility of devotees to maintain peace and order. Faith must be practiced with wisdom, ensuring that this once-in-a-lifetime event remains a moment of divine connection rather than tragedy.
