Akharas Skip Snan at Mahakumbh Amid Crowd Chaos, Appeal for Patience

February 3: Basant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan)
February 12: Maghi Purnima
February 26: Maha Shivaratri

Leaders urge devotees to bathe at alternative ghats; PM Modi reviews Prayagraj stampede-like situation

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), January 29: Ravindra Puri, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, announced on Wednesday that Akharas would not participate in the scheduled Amrit Snan at the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. The decision followed a “stampede-like” situation caused by overwhelming crowds trying to reach the Sangam Ghat.

In an appeal to devotees, Puri encouraged people to visit on Vasant Panchami for the next Snan and to consider bathing at any ghat rather than converging solely on Triveni Sangam.

“We are saddened by the incident that occurred. In the public interest, the Akharas will not participate in the Snan today. I appeal to devotees to cooperate with authorities and take a dip wherever they see the Holy Ganga, as the entire Mela Kshetra is sacred,” Puri told.

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti also expressed sorrow over the situation, emphasizing that the unprecedented crowd size overwhelmed the arrangements. “The entire Mela Kshetra is Kumbh; devotees can bathe at any ghat,” she urged.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to review the situation and called for immediate support measures. Rescue operations are ongoing, and injured devotees have been taken to Central Hospital.

The chaos unfolded as an estimated 80 to 100 million devotees flocked to the Sangam Ghats for Mauni Amavasya’s Amrit Snan, a significant bathing ritual. Massive crowds have already gathered, prompting authorities to request patience and cooperation.