Page 3 - Kumbh Mela

Fire breaks out at Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, NDRF teams on site

The incident occurred in Sector 18 of the Maha Kumbh Nagar area. No casualties have been reported

DMK flays Centre, UP govt for 'hiding' Mahakumbh stampede casualties

The BJP government at the Centre is "protecting" the Uttar Pradesh government by hiding Mahakumbh stampede deaths and showing a flawed death toll, Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK alleged on Wednesday. Appropriate arrangements must have been made for the devotees taking part in that event if the BJP had 'real bhakthi.' However, it was not done. "The BJP and its associates show their bhakthi only outside the temple and only in politics. That is why the kumbh fest was conducted in a negligent manner," DMK mouthpiece 'Murasoli' alleged in an editorial on February 5 adding the BJP government was responsibile for the tragic deaths. Pointing to participation of crores of devotees in the festival, the "unmanageable crowd" and deaths rising gradually, the Dravidian party newspaper alleged "restriction was imposed on news outlets" to not report the increase in the number of deaths and accordingly, the news was withheld. "Only after 17 hours, the Yogi government confirmed the number of deaths as 30,"

Maha Kumbh 2025: PM Modi takes holy dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj

Kumbh Mela 2025: PM Modi took a ritual dip at Maha Kumbh 2025, offered prayers, and is set to address the gathering, focusing on nation-building at the grand spiritual event

Stampede in Mahakumbh caused by officials' negligence: Yati Narsinghanand

Yati Narsinghanand Giri, the Peethadheeshwar of Shiv Shakti Dham Dasna and Mahamandaleshwar of Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara, on Tuesday blamed official negligence for the Mauni Amavasya stampede at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. He said he has written a letter in blood to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath under the banner of Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara. In the letter, he wrote, "The inhumane behaviour of your shameless, corrupt and insensitive officials towards Hindus on Mauni Amavasya has compelled me to write this letter." He further said, "This horrific massacre (the Mauni Amavasya incident) is not my primary concern. My real concern is the great catastrophe that is rapidly approaching the Hindu society. To prevent this catastrophe, Hindus chose Narendra Modi as India's prime minister and you as Uttar Pradesh's chief minister. Out of this same fear, a large section of Hindus today wants to see you as India's prime minister." Narsinghanand warned that "this catastrophe h

PM Modi to visit Maha Kumbh Mela, take holy dip at Sangam on Feb 5

Mahakumbh 2025, which commenced on Paush Purnima (January 13, 2025), is the world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe

Govt claims digital Mahakumbh, but hiding digits of dead: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that the government was hiding the number of deaths in the stampede at the Kumbh congregation in Prayagraj, and demanded strict action against those trying to cover up the "mis-management" in organising the fair. Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, Yadav said the government claimed to organise digital Kumbh, but was hiding the digits of the dead. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister demanded that the government call an all party meeting to discuss the arrangements of the Kumbh and hand over disaster management and Lost and Found Centre to the Army. "The government is continuously reeling out budget numbers, please also give the numbers of those who died in the Kumbh," Yadav said. The SP leader also demanded disciplinary action against officers who have tried to cover up the "mis-management" in the arrangements for the Kumbh. "The figures for the deaths in the Maha Kumbh accident

Gaurav Gogoi moves adjournment notice in LS to discuss Mahakumbh stampede

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi claimed that the root causes of the stampede, primarily mismanagement and the VIP culture that prioritized certain individuals over public safety, must be fully addressed

Smell conspiracy behind Kumbh stampede, probe on: BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad told the Lok Sabha on Monday that the ruling party smells a conspiracy behind the Maha Kumbh stampede and those responsible for it will have to hang their heads in shame once the probe is over. Participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the president's address, the MP from Bihar's Patna Sahib said 35 crore people have so far taken a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. "There was a tragedy at the Maha Kumbh.... An investigation is underway. We do smell a conspiracy there.... When the entire investigation is complete, those behind the incident will have to hang their heads in shame," the former Union minister said. The stampede took place on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. At least 30 people lost their lives and 60 were injured in the pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area in Prayagraj. Prasad hit out at the Opposition, alleging that it starts getting upset the moment it hears "Kumbh" or "Sanatan". "I

Maha Kumbh Amrit Snan: 6.2 mn devotees take holy dip on Basant Panchami

Over 6.2 million devotees take holy dip at Maha Kumbh as UP government ensures zero-error safety measures amid massive crowd turnout

Mahakumbh: Days after stampede, seers laud arrangements for 'Amrit Snan'

Akharas led a grand 'Amrit Snan' on Monday which drew a sea of devotees to the Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh on Basant Panchami, with seers praising the arrangements made for the auspicious occasion. The third Amrit Snan assumed special significance as it came after the pre-dawn stampede on January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), which claimed at least 30 lives and injured 60 others. Shaken by the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government had stepped up its crowd management system, and safety, medical and transport arrangements, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directing officials to ensure a "zero-error" Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami. Till 8 am on Monday, over 62 lakh devotees had taken a dip at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati here, according to the government. As the Amrit Snan continued without any reported incident, Adityanath, who himself is a monk, was in for some praise from the seers, an official statement said. "On this holy festival of Basant Panchami,

SC to hear plea seeking safety measures for devotees at Mahakumbh on Feb 3

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea seeking implementation of specific guidelines and regulations to ensure safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh where at least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a stampede on January 29. According to the cause list on February 3 uploaded on the apex court website, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar is slated to hear the PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari. The petition seeks to prevent stampede incidents and protect the fundamental rights of equality and life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The plea, which made the Centre and all the states as parties, has sought a direction to the Centre and the state governments to work collectively in ensuring a safe and secure environment for devotees at the Maha Kumbh. It said all states should establish facilitation centres at Prayagraj to provide safety information and assist their respective residents in emergencies. It also sought

Ensure 'zero errors' for Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami: UP CM to officials

Ahead of Monday's Amrit Snan at the Maha Kumbh on Basant Panchami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to ensure "zero errors" in arrangements. During a review meeting in Prayagraj on Saturday, he said the traditional 'shobha yatra' of 'akharas' should be conducted with grandeur and all necessary preparations completed on time, according to a statement. The chief minister highlighted the importance of security and said the safety and convenience of everyone should be ensured. He also directed the officials to increase parking space and ensure that devotees had to walk as little as possible. Senior police officers should be assigned to manage traffic at key locations, he said. Adityanath stressed that Sunday and Monday would be critical and said no VIP protocol would be in place before, during or after major bathing days. The directions came after at least 30 people died and 60 were injured in a stampede that broke out on Wednesday when the area c

Grateful to MEA for this opportunity: Foreign diplomats on Mahakumbh visit

Diplomats from around the world expressed their excitement and gratitude to India for the opportunity to experience it's rich cultural heritage firsthand at Mahakumbh

Mahakumbh: UP CM to visit Prayagraj today, his first after stampede tragedy

During his visit, CM Yogi will welcome Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and participate in Mahakumbh-related programs with him

A pitcher of humanity: The evolving significance of the Kumbh Mela

Through history, the Mela has held different meanings for ascetics, the colonised, colonisers, and tourists-but all have been moved by its grandeur

Maha Kumbh: Ganga Aarti in Varanasi on hold till Feb 5 amid crowd surge

Authorities have stopped the Ganga Aarti performed at the ghats of Varanasi for the general public till February 5, considering a surge in crowd. Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal has appealed to the people of Kashi not to leave their house unnecessarily and to cooperate with the devotees. Ganga Seva Nidhi President Sushant Mishra on Friday said the Ganga Aarti performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat will remain closed for the general public till February 5. Similarly, the committees performing Ganga Aarti at Sheetla Ghat, Assi Ghat and other ghats have also appealed to the general public, visitors and devotees not to come for it till February 5. A large number of devotees returning from Prayagraj Maha Kumbh are still stranded at Varanasi Cantt and Banaras railway stations. Many devotees said that they could not catch their train due to the excessive crowd. In addition, hundreds have stranded at stations due to the cancellation of some of the trains. Bobby Maya Limbu from Assam's Sonicpu

Maha Kumbh rush: Prayagraj airfares slashed by 50% after govt intervention

Prayagraj airfares drop 50 per cent after DGCA directive; airlines add more flights for Maha Kumbh 2025 as demand surges, ensuring better connectivity for millions of pilgrims

364 trains ran for Maha Kumbh devotees from Prayagraj on Jan 29: Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said 364 trains ran to various destinations from different stations of Prayagraj for the convenience of devotees returning home after taking holy dip in Sangam on the day of Mauni Amavasya on January 29. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director, Information and Publicity, Railway Board provided zone-wise details of 364 train operations and said besides these 364 trains which originated from Prayagraj to different destinations, 77 trains arrived in Prayagraj from other places. "During the entire period of (Maha Kumbh) Mela, the Railways has planned to operate about 13,450 trains, which include 10,028 regular trains and more than 3,400 special trains," Kumar added. Vaishnaw said approximately 12 lakh devotees have reached their respective destinations with the help of railway services. "Officials from the Railway Board as well as from three concerning zones are continuously coordinating with the state government to provide adequate train services

Mahakumbh: PIL in SC for safety measures, guidelines after stampede

Petition sought the direction that VIP movement shall not affect or create a danger to the common devotees' safety and maximum space for entry and exit of devotees at Mahakumbh shall be provided

No vehicles, VVIP access revoked: UP tightens rules after Kumbh stampede

Kumbh Mela stampede: After a stampede that killed 30, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced measures to improve crowd and traffic control at the world's largest spiritual gathering