A spiritual congregation took a tragic turn at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025, when a stampede occurred during the sacred Mauni Amavasya dip, claiming multiple lives. At least 15 deaths have been reported according to various sources, but official confirmation of the exact toll is still awaited.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “extremely sad.” “I have spoken to Chief Minister Yogi Ji and remain in constant touch with the state government,” he said. Condoling the grieving families, PM Modi assured them that the authorities were doing everything in their power.
What is Mauni Amavasya Dip at Maha Kumbh Mela Where Stampede Took Place?
The day considered the most crucial of Mahakumbh is Mauni Amavasya, which calls millions of the faithful to these waters to find purification. ‘Triveni Yog,’ one of the most rarest astral events witnessed after 144 years, further magnified the spirit of the puja. Still, the huge presence of devotees made it an extreme situation that had caused pandemonium.
Eyewitnesses recalled the frightening experience when control went out of their hands. “The crowd pushed from all directions. People were falling, and there was no escape,” Sarojini said, a devotee from Karnataka. Ambulances and police sirens cut through the night’s chants as authorities rushed to rescue the injured.
Relief and Investigation Continue
Rescue operations are still in effect, as the injured are treated at the central hospital in the Mela area. The administration is reviewing circumstances that led to this tragedy and growing calls for much better crowd management of such massive religious events.
Questions are being raised about preventive measures and safety protocols at the world’s largest religious gathering as India mourns this devastating loss.
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