'Sudden surge of devotees led to stampede': Eyewitnesses recount chaos at Maha Kumbh Mela

The scene at the site was one of absolute chaos, with scattered shoes, slippers, and clothes telling the story of what had transpired.

A devastating stampede occurred at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early Wednesday, as devotees scrambled to take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganga during the auspicious Mauni Amavasya. Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos and panic that unfolded at around 2 am, with shoes, slippers, and clothes scattered at the site.

The stampede left several dead and many others injured as thousands of pilgrims, who had gathered at the Kumbh from all over the country, jostled for space to immerse themselves at the sacred moment, around 3 am. The surge of devotees, driven by the desire to bathe at the propitious hour, led to the collapse of barricades, which had earlier kept the crowd under control.

Madhumita, a devotee from Assam, described the tragedy, explaining that many had been sitting or lying near the ghats in anticipation of the sacred moment. "Past midnight, a sudden surge led to the barricades falling apart, and many people who were resting were run over in the melee," she said.

Badama Devi, an elderly woman from Begusarai in Bihar, broke down as she recalled the devastating event. She had traveled a long distance to witness the once-in-a-lifetime moment. “We knew this moment would not come again in our lifetime,” she shared, her voice heavy with sorrow.

Ram Sumiran from Jharkhand also spoke of the horror, noting that the tragedy occurred in a moment of desperation as devotees rushed to ensure they didn’t miss the sacred dip, which only occurs once every 144 years. "A sudden surge led to the stampede, and many were trampled as the crowd pressure escalated after the barricades collapsed,” he said.

The scene at the site was one of absolute chaos, with scattered shoes, slippers, and clothes telling the story of what had transpired. Devotees had waited for hours to take part in the holy dip, many also eager to catch a glimpse of the revered Naga sadhus.

Prior to the tragedy, a video of Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant surfaced, urging devotees to take precautions. Pant was seen warning the crowd against overcrowding and advising them not to lie down in the passages leading to the ghats. "Get up, get up... take a bath. Many people are expected, and there's a possibility of a stampede," he said, urging everyone to prioritise their safety.

The Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, is considered the holiest site for Hindus, with millions of devotees gathering at the Maha Kumbh to take part in the ritual bath, believed to wash away sins and provide ‘moksha’ (salvation).

As of 2 pm on Wednesday, the Mela administration reported that more than five crore pilgrims, including 10 lakh 'Kalpawasis', had already bathed in the Ganga and the Sangam. Since the Mela began on January 13, a total of 19.94 crore devotees have taken a dip. The Maha Kumbh, which will continue until February 26, is expected to draw around 40 crore pilgrims, making it the largest spiritual gathering in the world.