Tragedy at Maha Kumbh: Stampede Near Sangam-What We Know So far

Overcrowding on Mauni Amavasya Causes Chaos; Akharas Cancel Traditional Holy Dip

January 29, 2025: Tragedy Strikes Maha Kumbh as Stampede Near Sangam Injures Over 30

Prayagraj: A stampede-like situation near the Sangam at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj caused injuries to over 30 pilgrims early this morning. Most of the injured were women who had gathered for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya, the most auspicious day of the six-week festival. While no official confirmation of fatalities has been made, fears of possible deaths persist.

Also Read: PM Modi Spoke To Me At Least 4 Times: Yogi Adityanath On Maha Kumbh Stampede

The chaos erupted around 1 am as massive crowds poured into the tent city in Uttar Pradesh. Barricades set up approximately one kilometre from the Sangam—where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers converge—collapsed under the pressure of devotees, causing several women to faint.

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

“Suddenly, there was a push in the crowd, and we were trapped. Many of us fell, and the situation went out of control,” recalled one devotee. A woman, whose child was injured in the stampede, described the scene as “nowhere to go.”

Also Read: ‘Stampede-Like’ Situation at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Several Injured

The incident prompted the Akharas, Hindu monastic groups central to the festival, to cancel their traditional ‘Amrit Snan’ or holy dip, a significant ritual for Mauni Amavasya. Despite this, millions of pilgrims continued to bathe at the Sangam and other ghats across the festival grounds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to assess the situation and urged immediate assistance for those affected. Authorities are reviewing crowd management measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, is considered the world’s largest spiritual gathering. This year’s festival, which began on January 13 and runs until February 26, has already seen an estimated 20 crore devotees taking part. Officials expect the total footfall to reach nearly 40 crore by the festival’s conclusion.

The Sangam holds immense spiritual significance for Hindus, with a belief that bathing there during the Maha Kumbh—especially on auspicious days like Mauni Amavasya—washes away sins and grants spiritual liberation, or ‘moksha.’

Tags: Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj Stampede, Mauni Amavasya, Sangam Incident, Kumbh Mela Updates, Crowd Management Issues, Spiritual Gatherings