A tragic stampede took place at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 29. The incident happened early in the morning, just before the Mauni Amavasya bath. This is one of the most important rituals of the Kumbh Mela. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the Triveni Sangam to take part in the sacred bath when the crowd became too large, leading to the stampede.
Sadly, 30 people lost their lives, and 60 others were injured. The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has acted quickly in response. CM Yogi has been monitoring the situation for 48 hours and has promised ₹25 lakh in compensation to the families of those who died. The government has also deployed experienced officers to help manage the situation, especially ahead of the Vasant Panchami Amrit Snan on February 3.
Government Steps After the Stampede
Following the stampede, the authorities took quick action to control the situation. The Akharas, an important part of the Kumbh Mela, stopped their ritual baths temporarily. By Wednesday afternoon, when the crowd size decreased, all 13 Akharas resumed their rituals.
To prevent further problems, the authorities sealed all borders of Prayagraj and advised people to avoid the fair area. They also asked people not to pay attention to rumors and to cooperate with the administration. The Chief Secretary and DGP of Uttar Pradesh have been asked to investigate the stampede and provide a detailed report.
Despite the tragedy, the devotion of the devotees remains strong, and preparations for the upcoming events like Vasant Panchami continue at the Maha Kumbh.