Stampede-like situation in Maha Kumbh: 'For a moment, I thought I was dead', devotee recounts horror

Devotees walk as they leave after a stampede before the 'Shahi Snan' at the Maha Kumbh Mela. (Image: Reuters)

A stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday morning left over a dozen people injured, with unconfirmed reports of fatalities. However, the UP state government is yet to confirm the number of deaths. The incident forced the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad to call off the sacred Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan.

Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhara Parishad, confirmed the decision, stating, "You would have seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to cancel the Amrit Snan. All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident."

Also Read: Maha Kumbh News Live

How the stampede started?

A stampede-like situation occurred in the Kumbh area when devotees surged towards the Sangam at around 2 am, unaware that many people had been sleeping there overnight to secure a prime spot for the Mahurat bath, scheduled for 3 am.

"We had been waiting since last night," said Rajesh Tiwari, a devotee from Varanasi.

"Some of us slept there, while others changed clothes after taking an early dip. Suddenly, people started pushing forward at around 2 am before the Mahurat began, not realizing there were people sleeping in the area. That’s when the chaos started."

The sudden rush led to panic, with barricades being broken near pillar number 157. "It all happened in moments. Whoever fell down could not get up," said another eyewitness, Rekha Devi from Bihar. "People were running, but some got trampled. It was terrifying."

Alpona Sen, a devotee from Kolkata, recounted her harrowing experience: "I had just come out of the river when I was pushed and fell to the ground. I felt suffocated. For a moment, I thought I was dead."

Among the distressed pilgrims was Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Kanpur, desperately searching for his missing nephew. "I have been looking for my nephew for hours. 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," he said, his voice trembling.

Rescue efforts and crowd control

While official casualty figures remain undisclosed, authorities quickly launched rescue operations, rushing the injured to hospitals. To prevent further incidents, security measures were heightened, and devotees were urged to use alternative ghats for bathing.

Following the incident, Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti appealed to devotees, saying, "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."

As a precaution, the Niranjani Akhara halted its bathing procession, and several other Akharas postponed their Amrit Snan. Announcements echoed across the fairgrounds, urging pilgrims to move slowly and cautiously. Authorities also advised families to keep children close and avoid overcrowding.

Meanwhile, 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."

High-level review and response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and sought details from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Maha Kumbh Mela control room remains operational, but no dedicated helpline has been issued yet for affected devotees.

The Mauni Amavasya Snan is one of the most significant bathing rituals of the Kumbh Mela, with Akharas from the three major sects — Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen — traditionally taking the holy dip in an elaborate procession. On Tuesday, estimates suggested that around five crore devotees had already arrived for the sacred bath, with the state government expecting the number to swell to ten crore by Wednesday.

Authorities are working to manage the pilgrimage, ensuring that the spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbh is upheld while prioritizing public safety.