Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives in the stampede that occurred during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday morning. In a statement shared on social media platform X, Modi also extended his well wishes for the swift recovery of those injured in the tragic incident.
“The accident that happened in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” the Prime Minister wrote in his post, reflecting the sorrow felt across the nation.
The stampede occurred on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most sacred bathing days during the Maha Kumbh festival, causing panic among the tens of thousands of devotees gathered at the Sangam ghat. The local administration responded swiftly, dispatching ambulances and medical teams to provide immediate assistance to the injured.
Prime Minister Modi reassured the public, stating that the local administration was working tirelessly to assist the victims of the stampede. “The local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way. In this regard, I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi ji and I am constantly in touch with the state government,” he added in his social media post.
While the exact number of casualties has not been officially confirmed by the Uttar Pradesh government, reports suggest that at least 10 people were feared dead, with dozens more injured in the chaos.
What caused the Maha Kumbh stampede?
The stampede unfolded around 2 am as a massive crowd surged toward the Triveni Sangam for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, the second Shahi Snan (royal bath) of the festival. Devotees broke through barriers, causing an uncontrollable surge of people along the tightly packed 12-km stretch of riverbanks.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the situation, attributing the incident to some devotees jumping over barricades. He reassured the public that the situation had been brought under control and urged people not to spread rumours.
“There is a huge crowd in Kumbh. Eight to ten crore devotees are present in Kumbh. Nearly six crore devotees came yesterday and took a holy dip at the Sangam. The incident occurred between 1 am and 2 am. The seers will proceed with the Amrit Snan once the crowd reduces,” Chief Minister Adityanath explained during a press conference.
He also confirmed that Prime Minister Modi had spoken to him multiple times since the incident, with the central government offering all possible assistance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also reached out to provide support.
In response to the unfolding tragedy, ambulances and emergency medical teams were rushed to the site, with the injured being transported to a makeshift hospital in the Mela area. Authorities have urged devotees to vacate the area after taking their holy dip in order to prevent further overcrowding.
Akharas to continue Amrit Snan
Initially, following the stampede, the Akharas had announced the cancellation of the Amrit Snan. However, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad President Ravindra Puri later clarified that the sacred bath would continue once the crowd thins out.
“Crores of people came in the morning. We tried to postpone the morning bath today. But now the crowd has reduced. The places where we had to take the holy dip are being cleared. We will take a holy dip. There will be a procession of all the Akharas. It will not be a big procession, but a rally will take place on a small scale,” he explained.
Puri further dismissed concerns of panic, stating that misinformation had caused unnecessary fear among the devotees. “We have a lot of time and are in no hurry. We can do snan even at night. In the morning, misinformation was spread to create fear in the minds of people, and they succeeded,” he added.
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Significance of mauni amavasya
Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days for devotees to take a holy dip in the Ganga, holds immense spiritual significance. It is believed that a bath on this day washes away sins and grants salvation. Over 100 million pilgrims are expected to visit the Sangam this year, with this year’s Mauni Amavasya coinciding with a rare celestial alignment called ‘Triveni Yog,’ which occurs once every 144 years, further adding to the day’s sacred importance.
To manage the massive influx of devotees, the Uttar Pradesh government had implemented strict crowd control measures, including no-vehicular zones and sector-wise restrictions. Despite these efforts, the surge in numbers during peak hours led to the tragedy.
The Maha Kumbh Mela: A global spiritual gathering
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. With an estimated 400 million pilgrims expected to attend, it remains the largest spiritual gathering in the world. Devotees from across India and beyond travel to Prayagraj to participate in this sacred event, which includes rituals such as fasting, ancestral worship, and observing silence.
The tragedy highlights the challenges of managing such an immense gathering, and authorities will continue to work to ensure the safety of the pilgrims during the remainder of the festival.
