Prayagraj, January 29:
A tragic incident occurred during the Mauni Amavasya Snan at Maha Kumbh 2025 when a sudden stampede broke out near the Sangam bathing area. As per official reports, 18 devotees have died, while over 50 people have been injured in the chaos. The situation led to panic among pilgrims, prompting immediate intervention from the local administration and police forces. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged devotees to remain calm and follow safety guidelines.
How Did the Incident Happen?
The tragedy took place between 1:30 AM and 2:00 AM when millions of devotees gathered at the Sangam for the sacred Mauni Amavasya bath. The overwhelming crowd and lack of proper movement control triggered a sudden rush, leading to a stampede.
Eyewitnesses reported that as people pushed forward to access the main bathing ghat, several individuals lost their balance and fell, causing others to stumble over them. Some were trampled underfoot, while others reportedly collapsed due to suffocation.
According to local sources, in the panic that ensued, people started running in different directions, further worsening the situation. Authorities conducting rescue operations confirmed that at least 18 people lost their lives, and over 50 others were critically injured. Some of the injured are in critical condition, raising concerns over the final casualty count.
Overcrowding Led to Disaster
Mauni Amavasya is considered one of the holiest bathing festivals in Hindu tradition. Pilgrims from across India and abroad participate in the sacred dip at the Sangam on this day. The administration had estimated that over 100 million devotees would attend the event, but the unexpected surge in the crowd exceeded all predictions, exposing flaws in the security arrangements.
Reports suggest that while crowd control measures were in place, narrow entry points and unchecked crowd movement led to a bottleneck, resulting in the unfortunate incident.
CM Yogi and PM Modi Hold Emergency Meeting
Following the disaster, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened an emergency meeting and urged devotees to avoid rushing to the Sangam area. He stated:
“I request all devotees to stay calm, avoid unnecessary movement, and follow administration guidelines. The government is ensuring all possible assistance to the affected families.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also taken serious note of the incident and has spoken with CM Yogi three times since the tragedy occurred. He has instructed authorities to speed up relief and rescue operations. Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda have also been in contact with the Uttar Pradesh government for further updates.
Akhada Saints Cancel Bathing Rituals
Following the stampede, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad President Ravindra Puri announced that saints from various Akhadas would not participate in the Mauni Amavasya Snan today. He stated:
“The safety of common devotees is our priority. We will resume our bathing rituals only when the situation normalizes. We will take our sacred dip on Vasant Panchami instead.”
Opposition Leaders Slam Government
Political leaders, including Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, criticized the government’s failure in handling the crowd.
Akhilesh Yadav tweeted:
“The loss of lives due to mismanagement at Maha Kumbh is extremely tragic. The government must immediately provide the best medical care to the injured and ensure proper transportation of the deceased to their families.”
Rahul Gandhi also expressed his concern, stating:
“This tragic incident is a result of mismanagement. The administration was more focused on VIP movements rather than ensuring safety for common pilgrims. The government must urgently improve arrangements to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Over 210 Million Devotees Have Taken the Holy Dip So Far
Despite the tragedy, the official figures reveal that by 10:00 AM, around 3.61 million devotees had already bathed at the Sangam. Since the start of the Maha Kumbh 2025, over 210 million pilgrims have taken the holy dip, setting new records.
Heightened Security Measures, Alert at Mirzapur Border
In response to the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have increased security across the Kumbh area. Mirzapur-Prayagraj border checkpoints have been strengthened to regulate incoming crowds. Holding areas have also been created to prevent overcrowding at the bathing ghats.
Conclusion
The Maha Kumbh 2025 Mauni Amavasya Snan will be remembered as a day of both faith and tragedy. The death of 18 devotees and injuries to over 50 others have raised serious questions about crowd management at large religious gatherings. While the administration has promised stricter security, the focus now shifts to preventing further mishaps and ensuring a safe pilgrimage for millions.
Authorities have urged all visitors to stay updated on official announcements and avoid unnecessary panic.
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