Mahakumbh Stampede: Over 15 Dead, More Than 70 Injured
Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela kills 15, injures 70 during Amrit Snan; celebrities visit, political blame follows.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, is currently underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This year’s event is especially significant as it is happening after 144 years, drawing crores of devotees from across the country and the world. However, the festivities took a tragic turn on Wednesday morning, 29th January 2025, when a stampede occurred during the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam, leaving 15 people dead and over 70 injured.
What Happened?
The stampede took place during the Amrit Snan or Shahi Snan, a sacred bath on Mauni Amavasya, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Kumbh Mela. Millions of devotees, saints, and Naga Sadhus gather on this day to take a dip in the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers meet. It is believed that the water on this day turns into "Amrit" (nectar) and can wash away sins.
Due to the massive crowds, the fences and barricades set up to manage the movement of people broke, leading to chaos and a stampede. According to an eyewitness, the incident happened around 2:30 am when thousands of devotees rushed to the riverside.
Immediate Response
Ambulances were quickly sent to the location, and the injured were rushed to hospitals within the Mela premises. The Akhara Parishad, the governing body of Hindu saints and sadhus, canceled the Amrit Snan after the incident. However, devotees continued to take holy dips at other ghats in the area.
Political Reactions
The tragedy has sparked political blame games. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Uttar Pradesh government on X (formerly Twitter), accusing it of prioritizing VIP movements over the safety of common people. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed his grief, urging devotees to stay patient and follow the authorities' instructions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation and has been in touch with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Yogi Adityanath, in a post on X, advised devotees to avoid the Triveni Sangam and bathe at nearby ghats instead. He also urged people to follow the administration’s guidelines and not pay attention to rumors.
Celebrities at the Maha Kumbh
Amid the spiritual fervor, the Maha Kumbh has also attracted celebrities. Chris Martin, the lead singer of the band Coldplay, visited the Mela with his girlfriend, Dakota Johnson. After performing concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Chris was seen interacting with fans in Prayagraj, even sticking his tongue out for the cameras.
What’s Next?
Despite the tragedy, the Maha Kumbh Mela continues, with millions of devotees still participating in the rituals. Authorities are working to ensure better crowd control and safety measures to prevent further incidents.
For more updates, watch our videos on the Maha Kumbh Mela:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQi9CHVrMio
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ2_0Ms6AbM
Let us pray for the souls of those who lost their lives and for the speedy recovery of the injured.
