Massive Queues at Triveni Sangam for Maha Kumbh Snan: Video Shows Unprecedented Crowd After Stampede

A staggering number of people gathered at the Triveni Sangam to celebrate 'Mauni Amavasya,' despite the tragic stampede that occurred around 2:30 am due to the overwhelming crowd. A bird's-eye view video of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj captures the sheer scale of the gathering, showing a sea of people spread across the venue, with a lighter crowd near the nose of the Triveni Sangam-the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. The video pans across millions of devotees, creating a vibrant display of colors, while the ghat is lined with tents, flags, and temporary walkways.

The visuals were filmed hours after the deadly stampede, which claimed the lives of at least 15 people, as devotees flocked to the Triveni Sangam for the 'amrit snan' (holy dip) on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most revered events of the Maha Kumbh festival. Following the chaos, many pilgrims left without performing the sacred dip. Several akharas, which had arrived to participate in the grand ritual, decided to cancel their plans in light of the devastating incident and to prevent further disturbances.

Narain Giri, the spokesperson for Juna Akhara, confirmed the postponement of the 'snan' due to the stampede and the immense crowd pressure. Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, stated that the seers had initially prepared for the 'snan' but were informed about the tragic event and decided to call off the ritual. Similarly, a seer from the Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara noted that the massive crowd made the situation unsafe for the ceremony.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to avoid the Sangam Nose and instead perform their bathing rituals at other nearby ghats. He reassured the public that several additional bathing ghats had been constructed to safely accommodate the devotees as rescue operations continued at the Sangam Nose.