Page 3 - Prayagraj

Maha Kumbh: Over 13.5 mn devotees take holy dip in Sangam on Feb 17

The spiritual fervour at the Maha Kumbh remains unwavering as more than 1.35 crore devotees took a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Sangam by 8 pm on Monday. According to figures released by the Mela administration, the total number of devotees who have bathed in the Maha Kumbh since January 13 has surpassed 54.31 crore. Alongside common devotees, several political leaders and dignitaries also participated in the sacred ritual on Monday. Among them were Union Minister for Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State SP Singh Baghel and West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose. "So far, 53 crore people have bathed here. This grand event is happening by the grace of the almighty," Mandaviya said Baghel also shared his experience, saying, "I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. This is a divine blessing and a significant moment in life." He later participated in the prasad distribution programme organised by

High faecal coliform levels in Prayagraj during Mahakumbh, says CPCB

The National Green Tribunal was informed on Monday, through a report by the CPCB, that various locations in Prayagraj during the ongoing Mahakumbh were not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to the level of faecal coliform. Faecal coliform, a marker of sewage contamination, has a permissible limit of 2,500 units per 100 ml, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel was hearing the issue of preventing sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Prayagraj. The bench noted that the CPCB had filed a report dated February 3, pointing out certain non-compliances or violations. "The river water quality was not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to faecal coliform (FC) at all the monitored locations on various occasions. A large number of people bathe in the river at Prayagr

After deadly New Delhi stampede, railways to overhaul crowd management

To mitigate the risk of another stampede, a six-month initiative has been launched to enhance passenger safety, particularly at key stations

Passengers got confused between 'Prayagraj Express, Special': Officials

The Delhi Police has found in its initial investigation the deadly stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station happened as passengers got confused between 'Prayagraj Express and Prayagraj Special', and thought they might miss their train, police sources said on Sunday. According to the preliminary investigation, the confusion happened because of the announcement of the trains having same initial name 'Prayagraj', said the sources. The announcement of the 'Prayagraj Special' arriving at Platform 16 led to confusion among the waiting passengers because the Prayagraj Express was already at Platform 14. People who were reaching Platform 14 thought their train was arriving at Platform 16 and they rushed towards it, leading to the stampede, the sources said. Additionally, there were four trains heading to Prayagraj, out of which three were delayed, causing an unexpected overcrowding, said the police source. A witness also told PTI, "There was confusion among the passengers regarding the t

Railway stations in Prayagraj adhering to protocols after NDLS stampede

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 ..

Weekend rush at Maha Kumbh again, traffic increases at MP-UP border

According to officials, around 1,000 vehicles were moving towards Prayagraj in every hour at Chakghat border and nearly 800 returning from there in the same period

What led to stampede at New Delhi Railway Station which killed 18?

While the Railways has constituted a high-level committee to probe the incident, initial reports and eyewitness accounts revealed what led to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Statio

News updates: New India Cooperative Bank General Manager held for 'misappropriation' of Rs 122 crore

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10 Maha Kumbh devotees killed in car-bus crash on Prayagraj highway

At least 10 devotees from Chhattisgarh died and 19 others were injured after their Bolero car collided with a bus on the Mirzapur-Prayagraj highway while traveling to the Maha Kumbh Mela

Prayagraj issues traffic ban ahead of Maha Kumbh's Maghi Purnima Snan

Prayagraj has enforced strict traffic restrictions ahead of Maghi Purnima at the Maha Kumbh to manage crowds and ensure public safety

300-km traffic jam in Maha Kumbh: What is the administration doing?

A staggering 300-km-long traffic jam has left lakhs of pilgrims stranded on their way to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. With major highways choked and devotees stuck for days.

8 Railway stations prepared for Mahakumbh's 'Maghi Purnima Snan': Vaishnaw

Ahead of Maghi Purnima Snan on February 12, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Railways has taken care of all the arrangements at eight railway stations for Prayagraj Mahakumbh.He inspected arrangements at the Prayagraj Railway Station on Monday.Vaishnaw said, "Railways has taken care of all the arrangements at 8 railway stations for Prayagraj Mahakumbh. Along with the state administration, everything is being done in a very coordinated way. Yesterday, 330 trains left Prayagraj Junction and even today trains are running in an orderly manner. If someone tries to spread rumours, we don't want to listen to them. Everything is going on in a systematic manner."Information & Publicity Department of Railway Board, Executive Director, Dilip Kumar said, "We have deployed more than 13,000 railway personnel at the various railway stations in the Sangam Kshetra. Special trains are also being run as per requirement. Yesterday, 12 and half lakh devotees departed in 330 trains. Today ...

Watch: President Murmu takes holy dip at Triveni Sangam in Maha Kumbh

After taking the dip, President Droupadi Murmu offered prayers at Triveni Sangam--which is a confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati

President Droupadi Murmu to visit Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Monday

President Droupadi Murmu will visit the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Monday and take a holy dip at the Sangam, her office said. Maha Kumbh, which began on Paush Purnima (January 13), is the world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe. It will continue until Mahashivratri on February 26. During her day-long visit to Prayagraj, the President will take holy dip and perform Pooja at Sangam, perform Pooja and Darshan at Akshayvat and Hanuman Mandir, and also visit the Digital Kumbh Anubhav Centre, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a statement issued on Sunday. Sangam is the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati rivers. According to a Uttar Pradesh government release, Murmu will also offer prayers at the Akshayavat and Bade Hanuman Temple, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanying her. The country's first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, had also taken a holy dip during the Maha Kumbh.

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

Cultural performances at Maha Kumbh featuring renowned artistes from Feb 7

Cultural programmes at the Maha Kumbh will start on February 7, showcasing the vibrancy of India's artistic heritage at one of the biggest religious congregations in the world. According to a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government, the Culture Department has finalised all preparations for grand performances that would feature some of the country's most celebrated artistes over four days at the Ganga Pandal. The lineup includes performances of Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly on February 7, playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy on February 8, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and singer Suresh Wadkar on February 9, and renowned singer Hariharan on February 10. The performances aim to present a "confluence of cultures," reflecting the spiritual and artistic essence of the Maha Kumbh. Besides the performance of Dona Ganguly, the wife of former India cricketer Sourav Ganguly, February 7 will also witness performances by Sufi singers Yogesh Gandharv and Abha Gandharv, classical musician Sum

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

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

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