Following the midnight stampede at 1:00 am today at the Sangam nose area at the Mahakumbh, Prayagraj on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya that led 14 deaths and injuring several, the Snan still continues. The second Amrit Snan was put on hold as a precaution, but the situation is now slowly coming under control. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister are constantly monitoring the situation along with the authorities.
Prime Minister took to X to say, “The accident that happened in Prayagraj Mahakumbh is extremely sad. My deepest condolences to the devotees who have lost their loved ones on this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. 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.”
प्रयागराज महाकुंभ में हुआ हादसा अत्यंत दुखद है। इसमें जिन श्रद्धालुओं ने अपने परिजनों को खोया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। इसके साथ ही मैं सभी घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। स्थानीय प्रशासन पीड़ितों की हरसंभव मदद में जुटा हुआ है। इस सिलसिले में मैंने…
At present, there are an estimated 15 crore people present in Prayagraj. After suspending the Amrit Snan earlier, all the 13 Akharas have declared to take the holy dip at their scheduled times and are approaching towards the Akhara Marg to begin with their Snan. A new statement release from the Akhara Parishad by the President Shrimahant Ravindra Puri stated that all the three Shankracharyas will together take the Amrit Snan.
The Amrit Snan of Mauni Amavasya this year is a phenomenon occurring after 144 years, coinciding with the rare celestial alignment ‘Triveni Yog’. It is one of the most important rituals that expected to gather millions of devotees. Even after the stampede, the people are still gathering in huge numbers on the Ganga Ghats and taking the holy dip.
There are arrangements of heavy security at the Triveni Sangam, with police deployed to clear the way for Akharas to take the Amrit Snan. The helicopters are also closely monitoring the situation feets above. The saints will have to go in small numbers for the bath, there will be only a small tableaux or procession.
Since the morning, over 3.5 crore devotees have taken the bath on Mauni Amavasya. Until yesterday, on 28th January, nearly 19.94 crore people have taken the holy dip, as per the data released by the Uttar Pradesh Information Department.
As per the update about the injured, 24 people are getting treated. A majority of them suffered from chest injuries. Yogi Adityanath, Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh was reported saying, “Around 8-10 crore devotees are present in Prayagraj today. There is continuous pressure due to the movement of devotees towards the Sangam Nose. A few devotees have suffered serious injuries when they tried to cross barricading on Akhara Marg. The injured been shifted to hospitals for medical treatment. Since Mauni Amavasya Mahurat started last night, a large number of devotees have been coming on. The PM has taken stock of the situation four times till now. Union Minister Amit Shah and Governor AnandiBen Patel are also continuously taking reports of the situation.
The situation in Prayagraj is under control but the crows size remains massive. The saints of different Akharas have humbly said that devotees should take holy dip first and once crowds reduce Akharas will proceed for the holy dip. There are large crowds at Sangam Nose, Naag Vasuki Marg and Sangam Marg. I appeal to the devotees to not pay attention to any rumor. Ghats have been made in the entire Kumbh area, devotees don’t need to move towards the Sangam nose only. Devotees should take holy dip to the ghats nearest to them. We are ensuring proper medical treatment of the injured persons. The Railways have organized special trains from different stations of the Prayagraj region to take devotees back to their respective stations.”
Despite the stampede caused in the night, people are still devotedly arriving to take the holy dip at the Mahakumbh. There is no bound to their spirituality and devotion. It is estimated that 10 crore devotees will take the bath on this day of Mauni Amavasya. It is just that they should follow the guidelines and advisory issued by the administration and bathe accordingly, ensuring safety of theirs as well as others lives.