A stampede-like situation erupted at the Sangam ghat on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, during the Maha Kumbh’s Mauni Amavasya Snan, leading to multiple casualties and several injuries, officials confirmed. The unprecedented rush of pilgrims, estimated to be around 10 crore, created a chaotic situation, prompting immediate intervention from authorities.

Officer on Special Duty for the Mela, Akanksha Rana, stated that some devotees sustained injuries and have been hospitalized following the collapse of a barrier at the Sangam ghat. “We are still assessing the exact number of those injured,” she said.

Akhara Ritual Bath Deferred Due to Overcrowding

Mahant Ravindra Puri, chief of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, confirmed that the traditional bathing rituals of the 13 akharas have been postponed due to overcrowding at the Sangam ghat. While he refrained from directly addressing the stampede incident, he acknowledged that the unmanageable crowd forced authorities to delay the procession.

“We are seeing that the crowd is now gradually thinning, and discussions are ongoing with the Mela administration. If the situation stabilizes, we would like to proceed with our sacred bathing ritual,” Puri told PTI Videos.

Remembering the 1954 Maha Kumbh Tragedy

The 1954 Maha Kumbh Mela saw one of the deadliest stampedes in history, with at least 300 devotees losing their lives and over a thousand injured during the main bathing day on February 3. According to reports, thousands of pilgrims surged onto the procession route of the Naga Sadhus, leading to a stampede when the armed ascetics used their lances to push back the crowd.

Authorities are now working on controlling the situation at the 2025 Maha Kumbh, deploying additional security forces and medical teams to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. More updates are awaited on the condition of the injured and any further casualties.

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