Prayagraj: A stampede-like situation unfolded during the Mauni Amavasya celebrations at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, leaving around 30 women injured as they attempted to reach the Sangam for the Amrit Snan, a key ritual of the festival.
The incident occurred when a massive crowd surged towards the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers, leading to barricades collapsing and triggering panic. The chaos prompted Akharas to temporarily suspend the event.
As the pressure of the crowd intensified, several women fainted and fell, creating a stampede-like situation. The injured were quickly shifted to medical facilities within the fairgrounds, while those in critical condition were shifted to Bailey Hospital and Swaroop Rani Medical College.
Following the incident, authorities implemented a crowd diversion plan, halting the entry of devotees and stopping groups on the outskirts of the city.
This year’s Amrit Snan was particularly significant due to the rare ‘Triveni Yog’ celestial alignment, which occurs once every 144 years, drawing an even larger number of devotees. In response, security has been heightened, and officials have urged pilgrims to exercise caution.
