The Sant Samaj has reacted sharply to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calling the Maha Kumbh the "Mrityu Kumbh", saying her statement is an insult to Sanatan Dharma and demanding her public apology. National secretary of the Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani Mahant Jamuna Puri said it does not befit Banerjee to give such a statement from the responsible position she holds. "The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is Amrit Parv, the divinity and grandeur of which have been seen by the whole world. She should not use such derogatory words with the name of Maha Kumbh," he said. Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Arun Giri of the Panch Dashnam Awahan Akhara strongly criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo's statement and said, "West Bengal is becoming a 'mrityu pradesh' (state of death) for Hindu Sanatanis. Thousands of Sanatanis are being massacred and lakhs of Hindus have to migrate at the time of elections." "She should worry about her state, not Uttar Pradesh. (Chief Minister) Yog
Prayagraj District Magistrate (DM) Ravindra Mandar on Tuesday categorically denied rumours circulating on social media regarding an extension of the Maha Kumbh Mela due to heavy crowds. Dismissing these claims, he clarified that the schedule of the event is determined on the basis of religious "muhurats" (auspicious timings) and remains unchanged. The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26, in accordance with its pre-decided schedule, Mandar said. "According to (Uttar Pradesh) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's instructions, the administration is ensuring a smooth travel and other arrangements for all the devotees. There is no proposal from the government or the district administration to extend the mela dates. Pilgrims should not pay heed to such misinformation," he said. The DM asserted that all necessary arrangements are in place for the remaining days of the Maha Kumbh to facilitate hassle-free bathing at the Triveni Sangam. The administration is also focused on traffic manageme
Maha kumbh Updates: In the wake of recent NDLS stampede and surge in Maha kumbh crowd, the Indian Railways on Monday shut the Prayagraj Sangam railway station till Feb 28, railway officials said
The packed New Delhi Railway station became a horrific sight for thousands of passengers, mostly the Maha Kumbh pilgrims, after an overnight stampede led to at least 18 deaths. However, this tragic event is not isolated, as stampedes resulting in numerous casualties have occurred in India over the years, including one at the Mahakumbh -- currently underway at Prayagraj -- just a few weeks ago. Thirty people were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede on January 29 at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. Some of the largest casualties caused by stampedes over the recent years include the deadly stampede that occurred last year on July 2 during a 'satsang' by self-styled godman, Bhole Baba, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, which claimed 121 lives, most of whom were women. Similarly, more than 340 devotees were killed at Maharashtra's ...
In view of the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday that claimed 18 lives and the huge influx of devotees coming to attend the Maha Kumbh, railway stations in Prayagraj have been directed to ensure strict adherence to the previously issued protocols to prevent any untoward incident. Chief PRO of North Central Railway, Shashikant Tripathi, told PTI, "We are ensuring strict implementation of the previously issued protocols. We have successfully conducted bathing rituals on Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami and the same protocols will continue in future as well." Under the protocols, entry is allowed from the city side and exit from the Civil Lines side at the Prayagraj Junction, and the passengers are kept in the holding area till the trains arrive at the platforms. Railway Police Force (RPF) inspector Shiv Kumar, who is posted at Prayagraj Junction, said the crowd at the railway station was under control. PRO of the Varanasi Division of North Eastern Railway, Ashok ..
At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the New Delhi Railway Station, officials said. The stampede was preceded by a swell in crowd of passengers waiting to board trains for Prayagraj -- where the Maha Kumbh is underway -- on platform number 14 and 15 of the station. Acting Delhi Chief Minister Atishi earlier told reporters that 15 people had been brought dead at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital of central Delhi. All but two of the casualties were identified. At least, three of them were children. Almost 15 people are injured and they are undergoing treatment, Atishi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X grieved the deaths. "Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede," he said. Eyewitnesses s
Uttar Pradesh Police have initiated legal action against 53 social media accounts over the past month for allegedly spreading misinformation about the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The crackdown follows Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive to curb fake news, with authorities identifying multiple misleading posts, ?including old videos, falsely linked to the event, senior officials said. Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar on Thursday evening said the department formulated a comprehensive strategy, involving continuous cyber patrolling by the Uttar Pradesh Police and expert agencies to monitor and counter misleading posts on social media. On February 13, cyber monitoring revealed two misleading videos falsely linked to the Maha Kumbh. The first video, originating from a fire incident in Egypt, was falsely shared as a blaze at the Maha Kumbh bus stand, with claims that 40-50 vehicles were destroyed. Investigations confirmed that the footage was actually from a pipeline fi
Mahakumbh began on Jan 13 and will continue until Feb 26. Meanwhile, the Kumbh has seen many saints making headlines for their unique philosophies. "Businessman Baba" is the recent addition to the lis
Accompanied by the Director General of Police (DGP), Principal Secretary Home, and Chief Minister's Secretariat officials, the CM continuously reviewed live updates on TV
Prayagraj has enforced strict traffic restrictions ahead of Maghi Purnima at the Maha Kumbh to manage crowds and ensure public safety
The incident occurred in Sector 18 of the Maha Kumbh Nagar area. No casualties have been reported
Over 6.2 million devotees take holy dip at Maha Kumbh as UP government ensures zero-error safety measures amid massive crowd turnout
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
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A deadly stampede at Uttar Pradesh's Maha Kumbh mela raises fresh concerns over crowd control at religious gatherings. Here's a look at India's worst stampede incidents
A stampede at the Maha Kumbh's Sangam on Mauni Amavasya left many injured after a barrier collapsed, prompting Akharas to cancel the Amrit Snan
PM Modi expressed condolences to those who 'lost their loved ones' in the Maha Kumbh stampede and wished for the swift recovery of the injured, assuring all possible assistance
At the Mahakumbh, 100 million devotees are expected to take part in the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya on Wednesday
This year, Mauni Amavasya will be marked on Jan 29, 2025. It is one of the most sacred days during the Maha Kumbh. This is the day for the 'Amrit Snan' in the holy waters of the Triveni Sangam
The fire is believed to have been triggered by extreme heat due to the large number of vehicles parked for the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela