A stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday claimed dozens of lives and left many more injured. A senior doctor at a hospital tending the injured told The Pioneer that most of the deceased were from Karnataka, and their bodies have been handed over to their families after post-mortem examinations.
Despite the tragedy, the spiritual fervor remained intact as over six crore devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam on Mauni Amavasya. The Akhara Parishad, which had initially called off the Amrit Snan, later participated in the ritual, albeit without its usual grandeur.
There was, however, a variance in the statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath regarding the incident. PM Modi expressed his deepest condolences, calling the tragedy “extremely saddening.” In a post on X, he assured that the local administration is providing all possible help and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. “I have been speaking to Chief Minister Yogi ji and am in constant touch with the state government,” he said.
In contrast, CM Yogi Adityanath avoided confirming any fatalities. His official statement only mentioned the injured, saying, “Some people have serious injuries,” sidestepping reports of deaths. The Maha Kumbh Mela control room remains operational, but no dedicated helpline has been issued yet for affected devotees, further adding to the frustration of those searching for missing family members.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos that unfolded in the early hours. “We were waiting near the Sangam since last night,” said Rajesh Tiwari, a devotee from Varanasi. “People had been sleeping there to secure a good spot for the Mahurat bath at 3 am. But around 2 am, the crowd surged forward, unaware of those lying on the ground. That’s when the pushing started, and everything went out of control.”
Rekha Devi, a devotee from Bihar, described the horror of the moment. “It all happened in seconds. Whoever fell could not get up. People were running in all directions, but some got trampled,” she said.
“For a moment, I thought I was dead,” added Alpona Sen, a pilgrim from Kolkata. “I had just come out of the river when I was pushed. I couldn’t breathe.”
In the midst of the tragedy, families frantically searched for missing loved ones. “I have been looking for my nephew for hours,” said Ramesh Kumar from Kanpur. “We got separated when the crowd surged. His phone is switched off, and I have no idea where he is. I just hope he is safe.” A woman from Karnataka, part of a group of nine, said that one man and one woman from their group had died, while three others were in critical condition. “We came from Kasapura,” said another woman, sobbing outside the hospital. “Three children are missing. Our mobile phones and Aadhaar cards are lost. I don’t know where anyone from our group is.”
Authorities quickly launched rescue operations, rushing the injured to hospitals. Government claims that to rescue those affected by the incident, a green corridor was created, allowing over 50 ambulances to reach the Sangam Nose within two to three minutes. More than 100 rounds were made by ambulances to save lives. Additionally, expert doctors arrived at the scene within minutes and took charge of the situation. The SDRF, NDRF, and police teams also worked alongside medical personnel to assist the injured.
Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti appealed to pilgrims to remain calm. “The entire Mela Kshetra is Kumbh, and devotees may take a bath at any ghat. The entire Sangam is called Triveni Ghat. Please do not rush.”
Mela Nodal Officer Vijay Anand urged people not to believe in rumors. “The situation is under control. We request everyone to remain calm and follow the guidance of the authorities. Do not believe in unverified information spreading panic.”
Amrit Snan
The stampede at 2 a.m. initially prompted the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad to cancel the Amrit Snan, a sacred bathing ritual. “You all saw what happened in the morning, and that’s why we decided to cancel the Amrit Snan,” said Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhara Parishad. “Our saints and seers were ready for the ‘snan,’ but then we were informed about the tragedy.”
However, after intervention from CM Yogi Adityanath, who personally urged the saints to reconsider, the Akharas ultimately participated in the sacred ritual-though the celebrations were subdued. “The chief minister himself spoke to us,” said Mahant Ravindra Puri. “We agreed to take part in the Amrit Snan, but it lacked the glitter that usually accompanies the event.”
The Mauni Amavasya Snan remains one of the most significant bathing rituals of the Kumbh Mela, with Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen Akharas leading the elaborate processions into the river. On Tuesday, over five crore devotees had already arrived for the sacred bath, with government estimates projecting the number to swell to ten crore by Wednesday.
Despite the tragic incident, authorities are working to ensure crowd management and safety measures, emphasizing that while the spiritual essence of the Maha Kumbh remains intact, public security remains the top priority.
The deadliest stampede in the history of Kumbh Mela occurred in 1954, shortly after India’s independence. On Mauni Amavasya, a massive rush of devotees at Triveni Bandh led to a catastrophic stampede. Sadhus came riding elephants. Due to the noise there, two elephants went berserk and hundreds of pilgrims were crushed to death, marking one of the worst tragedies in the history of the religious congregation.
The mela administration at the time attempted to suppress details of the disaster, but a photojournalist captured the horrific scenes, exposing the scale of the calamity. Only two photographers had images of the stampede, which later brought the tragedy to public attention.
With the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025, authorities have repeatedly assured improved crowd control measures. However, the latest tragedy raises serious concerns about safety preparedness and crisis management at an event where millions of devotees gather. Devotees and experts alike are now demanding stricter safety protocols to prevent further loss of life.
The deadliest stampede in the history of Kumbh Mela occurred in 1954, shortly after India’s independence. On Mauni Amavasya, a massive rush of devotees at Triveni Bandh led to a catastrophic stampede. Sadhus came riding elephants. Due to the noise there, two elephants went berserk and hundreds of pilgrims were crushed to death, marking one of the worst tragedies in the history of the religious congregation.
The mela administration at the time attempted to suppress details of the disaster, but a photojournalist captured the horrific scenes, exposing the scale of the calamity. Only two photographers had images of the stampede, which later brought the tragedy to public attention.
With the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025, authorities have repeatedly assured improved crowd control measures. However, the latest tragedy raises serious concerns about safety preparedness and crisis management at an event where millions of devotees gather. Devotees and experts alike are now demanding stricter safety protocols to prevent further loss of life.
Timeline of major stampedes at religious gatherings
July 2, 2024: More than 100 people, including women and children, were killed after a stampede broke out at a ‘satsang’ (prayer meeting) organised by a self-styled godman, Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari, in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras.
January 1, 2022: At least 12 people died and over a dozen were injured in a stampede at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees.
October 13, 2013: 115 people were killed and over 100 injured in a stampede during the Navratri festivities near Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district. The stampede was triggered by rumours that a river bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse.
February 10, 2013: More than 36 people lost their lives at the Prayagraj Junction, which was packed with pilgrims for the 2013 Kumbh Mela, following a panic on the foot overbridge leading to platform 6, triggering a stampede. Dozens sustained severe injuries, requiring prolonged hospitalisation. The victims were devotees from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and other states.
November 19, 2012: Around 20 people were killed and many others injured as a makeshift bridge caved in, triggering a stampede during the Chhath Puja at Adalat Ghat on the bank of river Ganga in Patna.
November 8, 2011: At least 20 people were killed in a stampede in Haridwar at Har-ki-Pauri ghat on the banks of the Ganga river.
January 14, 2011: At least 104 Sabarimala devotees were killed and over 40 were injured in a stampede when a jeep crashed into homebound pilgrims at Pulmedu in Kerala’s Idukki district.
March 4, 2010: About 63 people were killed in a stampede at Ram Janki Temple of Kripalu Maharaj in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district as people gathered to collect free clothes and food from the self-styled godman.
September 30, 2008: Nearly 250 devotees were killed and over 60 injured in a stampede triggered by rumours of a bomb going off at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur city.
August 3, 2008: 162 dead, 47 injured in a stampede triggered by rumours of rockslides at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district.
January 25, 2005: Over 340 devotees were trampled to death and hundreds injured during an annual pilgrimage at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra’s Satara district. The accident occurred when some people fell down on the steps made slippery by the devotees breaking coconuts.
August 27, 2003: 39 people were killed and around 140 injured in a stampede during the holy bath at the Kumbh Mela in Maharashtra’s Nashik district.