Maha Kumbh Stampede Updates: At least 30 people were killed in a stampede at Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday, police said. As many as 60 people who suffered in the incident are undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
DIG Kumbh Mela Vaibhav Krishna said that barricade broke after a large number of people gathered on the Akhara route in wee hours of Wednesday ahead of the “Brahm Muhurta”.
“On the Mauni Amavasya Snan, between 1 and 2 am ahead of the Brahm Muhurta, huge crowd gathered on the Akhara route, because of which the barricades on the other side broke. The crowd on this side crossed to the other side and started running over devotees waiting for Brahm Muhurta… The administration quickly enforced the rescue operation and created a green corridor for ambulances, and took 90 injured to the hospitals. Unfortunately, 30 of those devotees have died,” Krishna said in the press conference.
In view of the stampede, several ‘akhadas’ had called off their ‘amrit snan’ (holy bath). However, later they decided to resume around 10am after situation was brought under control.
Today (January 29) is one of the most auspicious days to take a holy dip due to ‘Mauni Amavasya’. Mauni Amavasya falls on the Hindu calendar day of Magh Krishna Amavasya. This is considered the most auspicious date among all the special bathing dates.
It is believed that on this day, the water of the holy rivers turns into ‘Amrit.’ Mauni Amavasya is also referred to as the ‘Amavasya of the Saints.’ The bath on Mauni Amavasya is traditionally performed in silence.