🙏 Amid the sacred chants and the flow of the holy rivers, a tragic stampede at India's Maha Kumbh Mela has cast a shadow over the world's largest gathering. On Wednesday, as millions converged for a 'holy dip' in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, chaos ensued, leading to the loss of dozens of lives and injuring many more.
Authorities have reported that at least 30 devotees lost their lives, while some sources suggest the death toll could be closer to 40. Over 90 people suffered injuries in the crush that unfolded in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Eyewitnesses describe a sudden surge towards the sacred waters. \"It was like a wave of people pushing forward,\" one devotee recounted. Some routes to the riverbanks were reportedly closed, exacerbating the crowd density and leading to suffocation and collapse.
In the wake of the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry. \"A three-member commission will investigate the incident and submit its report within a set timeframe,\" he stated.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is a monumental event in the Hindu faith, drawing in massive crowds seeking spiritual cleansing and salvation from the cycle of rebirth. This year's festival has already seen nearly 280 million attendees, including notable figures like federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities.
With expectations of around 400 million devotees in 2025, concerns over crowd management have intensified. Opposition leaders and local media are calling for improved safety measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring. As the Hindustan Times highlighted, \"Better planning is needed – using both ground resources and modern technology.\"
The festival includes specific dates known as 'royal dips,' considered particularly auspicious. Wednesday was one such day, with three more scheduled before the event concludes. While the spiritual significance remains profound, the need for enhanced safety protocols is more apparent than ever.
As millions continue to seek solace and purification in the holy waters, the hope is that lessons learned will lead to safer celebrations in the future. 🌊✨
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Hindu festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
