Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Stampede-Like Situation During Mauni Amavasya Near Sangam, Over 30 Injured

A stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavasya morning on Wednesday (29 January) left around 30 women injured, prompting Akharas to cancel their holy dip.

A massive influx of devotees into Prayagraj's tent city for the 'Amrit Snan' led to overcrowding near the Sangam.

The rising crowd pressure caused barricades to break, resulting in several women fainting.

As unconscious women fell, panic spread, triggering a stampede-like situation.

Medical teams transported the injured to the Maha Kumbh Mela hospital, while severely wounded individuals were referred to Bailey Hospital and Swaroop Rani Medical College.

Following the incident, Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri confirmed the decision to cancel the seers’ Amrit Snan.

"You would've seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to... All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident. That's why we have decided to call off our 'snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya'," Mahant Ravindra Puri was quoted as saying by PTI.

Juna Akhara Patron and Akhara Parishad General Secretary Mahant Hari Giri appealed to devotees to perform their holy bath in the Ganga wherever possible and return home.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and directed immediate relief measures.

To prevent further mishaps, authorities shut down pontoon bridges at multiple locations in the fairgrounds.

With nearly five crore devotees arriving a day ahead of the second Amrit Snan, officials expects a total turnout of 10 crore on the event day.

Stringent security protocols were in place, incorporating AI-powered surveillance, drone patrols, and heightened police deployment.

To ease congestion, the Mela area was declared a no-vehicle zone, and local residents were urged to avoid four-wheelers, permitting two-wheelers only for senior citizens commuting to the Sangam.

Over 1,000 medical professionals have been deployed across the Maha Kumbh fairgrounds, with provisions for both minor and major surgeries in each sector.

A super-specialty hospital in Mahakumbh Nagar is staffed with 300 specialist doctors to handle emergency cases.

Mauni Amavasya’s Amrit Snan is the most sacred ritual of the Maha Kumbh. This year, its spiritual significance is amplified by the rare ‘Triveni Yog,’ a celestial event that occurs once every 144 years.

As per Kumbh Mela tradition, Akharas from the three sects—Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen—participate in the holy dip in a predetermined sequence, following a grand procession to the Sangam Ghat.

The seers and saints, including the ash-covered Nagas, immerse themselves in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers on special bathing dates like Mauni Amavasya.

Mauni Amavasya is regarded as the holiest of all bathing days, with devotees believing that river waters transform into 'Amrit' on this occasion.

The government had planned an aerial shower of 25 quintals of rose petals over the pilgrims.

In the past 17 days, Maha Kumbh 2025 has seen over 15 crore pilgrims take a holy dip. On Tuesday alone, 4.80 crore devotees participated—outnumbering the 3.5 crore attendees of Makar Sankranti’s Amrit Snan, as per Uttar Pradesh government data.

Commencing on 13 January, the Maha Kumbh will conclude on 26 February.

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