New Delhi:

Millions of devotees from across India have been visiting the ongoing Maha Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj – one that is held every 12 years – causing a huge rush in trains and traffic on roads. A wave of stampede-like incidents and angry passengers breaking train windows as they were unable to board the train to Maha Kumbh amid the rush have come to light recently.

Last night, at least 18 people, including 11 women and five children, died after a huge crowd of passengers caused by two delayed trains and a special Express train to Maha Kumbh led to a stampede at the New Delhi Railway station.

While eyewitnesses claimed that the stampede took place after a rumour spread among people that the Prayagraj Express was going to arrive on a different platform, the Railway authorities have repeatedly denied it. Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, CPRO Northern Railway said that there was already a huge rush on the station’s platform when a passenger slipped on the nearby stairs, leading to the deadly stampede.

According to the official, platforms number 13 and 14 at the New Delhi Railway station were already crowded as many people were waiting to board two trains – Magdh Express and another going towards Jammu – which were delayed. Amid this, a special train for Maha Kumbh, the Prayagraj Express, was to leave at 10:10 pm from platform number 14. As the time for the train to Prayagraj neared, more and more people started gathering on the platform, adding to the existing rush. During this time, more than a thousand general tickets were bought by passengers to go to Maha Kumbh, officials said.

“Trains were not cancelled, and the platform was not changed. All trains have been running as per its schedule,” he said.

The Railways has also formed a two-member high-level committee to probe the incident. Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway are a part of the committee, officials said.

The committee, which has commenced its inquiry, gave orders to secure all video footage of the New Delhi Railway Station.

How Railways is managing Maha Kumbh rush in Prayagraj

As millions of people are visiting Prayagraj, the railway authorities have made extensive security measures across the city’s stations.

Shashikant Tripathi, CRPO of North Central Railway told NDTV that they have been maintaining protocol at all railway stations in the city. “Through these protocols, either on normal day rush or key days like ‘mauni amavasiya’, we have made a smooth entry and exit for passengers. With the help of colour-coded areas, we have helped the passengers board and deboard trains safely.”

According to him, they do not need to enforce any new protocols.

“We have been working well with these protocols. In the case of Prayagraj junction, we only allow the passengers to enter through the city side and the exit is done through civil lines side. We have 4 passenger sheds which are colour-coded and directions have been defined on them. Whenever the limit of passengers crosses at these sheds, we activate the Kusrow Bagh area – from where the passengers can travel. All basic amenities have also been provided at these locations,” he added.

Jabalpur:

Seven Andhra Pradesh pilgrims returning from Maha Kumbh died and two other sustained injuries after a mini-bus in which they were travelling collided with a truck in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district on Tuesday, a police official said.

The accident occurred on a 4-lane highway near a Canal area of Mohla Bargi village under Sihora police station limits in the district on Tuesday. The pilgrims travelling in the mini-bus are residents of Andhra Pradesh and were returning to their home after attending Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj.

The truck was going from Jabalpur to Katni when the driver lost his control and moved into the opposite lane and collided with the mini-bus. Upon receiving the information about the incident, the police reached the spot, removed the truck with the help of a crane and then rescued the passengers in the mini-bus, the police added.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Suryakant Sharma told ANI, “A tempo traveller (mini bus) carrying passengers, residents of Andhra Pradesh, was returning from Prayagraj and a truck was going from Jabalpur to Katni. The truck got uncontrolled and veered into the opposite lane near Canal area of Mohla Bargi village under Sihora police station limits and collided with the mini bus. Seven people in the mini-bus died while two others sustained injuries who were referred for medical treatment in the accident.”

The truck was carrying some sort of marble powder. The truck was separated with the help of a crane. The injured were admitted to the hospital and those who died were sent for the post mortem, the officer said.

“An action has been initiated to register a case into the matter and the victims’ families have been contacted. Upon their arrival, the bodies will be handed over to them after the post mortem…It is a 4-lane highway with open space in the middle, but due to the absence of a divider, the truck crossed into the opposite lane, leading to the accident,” he added.

Additionally, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also expressed grief over the incident and said he ordered an investigation into the matter. He further added that the state government is making arrangements for the departure of the families to their home state.

“I came to know that a mini bus going towards Andhra Pradesh from Prayagraj met with an accident near Sihora in Jabalpur and seven people died in the accident. I pray to Baba Mahakal to provide strength to the family and make the departed souls rest in peace. I have ordered an inquiry into the matter and we are making arrangements for the respective families to return to Andhra Pradesh,”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mahakumbh Nagar:

At the Maha Kumbh Mela on Saturday, a special 118-member foreign delegation, including diplomats and Heads of Missions from 77 countries, took a scared dip at the Triveni Sangam in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj along with their spouses and expressed their happiness on this auspicious occasion.

The ambassadors of various countries and their families appreciated the Indian culture and spirituality and hailed the arrangements made at this huge spiritual and religious event.

The delegation expressed gratitude to the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments and described reaching this holy place as a unique experience.

Seeing this historic occasion of Mahakumbh, several members of the delegation gained a deep understanding and respect for Indian culture.

Colombia’s Ambassador Victor Chaveri said: “It was a wonderful experience of my life. This is an opportunity that everyone should experience once in a lifetime. It is a very special experience to feel the spirituality and power of the people here in Mahakumbh. Indian culture is extremely rich and the message here is for peace and humanity. When you see so many people engrossed in spirituality here at the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, one feels a strange power.”

Diana, wife of the Russian Ambassador, said: “I would like to thank the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this sacred event. I got a lot of spiritual peace after bathing here and I am very impressed by the safety, organisation, and cleanliness of the water here. Indian culture is very diverse and deep-rooted, and it is great to see that people here preserve and follow it.”

Slovakia’s Ambassador Robert said: “The experience was unforgettable. The energy and peace here have left a deep impression on me. The main message of this event is peace and unity, and it should be spread throughout the world. I would like to congratulate the Indian government, Uttar Pradesh government, and its people for organising this grand event.”

Cuban Ambassador Juan Carlos Marjan said: “The religious event was truly wonderful. Lakhs of people here became a part of this religious event, and I was proud to see how rich and deep Indian culture is. We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of this great event.”

Ecuadorian Ambassador Fernando said: “When I was a child, I always dreamed that one day I would bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Today that dream has come true, and it was a very spiritual experience for me. I am learning a lot about Indian culture, like yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation. The atmosphere here is very peaceful and spiritual, and I am very happy to be here.”

Senior BJP leader and MLA Siddharth Nath Singh said: “Our arrangements and facilities provided at the Maha Kumbh are of world-class quality and we have been in constant contact with the Ministry of External Affairs. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had also said that many people want to come to Maha Kumbh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has invited everyone here.”

He also added: “Ambassadors and High Commissioners of many countries have come here and they are very happy to be here. These people want to get acquainted with the culture and spirituality of India. These people also took bath in Sangam — the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati today.”

Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister AK Sharma said: “Till now more than 30 crore people from India and abroad have come and taken a dip in the Maha Kumbh. Apart from this, a large number of people are still coming here. What the Uttar Pradesh government was saying is that 45-50 crore people will come to take a sacred dip, that figure seems to be proving true.”

“People who come here and take a dip are leaving happy. People are very impressed by the environment and arrangements here. Today we have foreign guests from many countries among us, and there is happiness on the faces of all of them. We also told these people about the mythological importance of this place,” Sharma added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prayagraj:

A police officer was suspended on Thursday after a video went viral showing him allegedly mixing ash into the food served at a Bhandara (community feast) for devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela here.

Action was taken against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Soraon, Brijesh Kumar Tiwari, after the video surfaced on social media, said DCP (Ganga Nagar) Kuldeep Singh Gunawat.

In the footage, a police officer is seen adding ash to the food being prepared over a stove.

A user posted the video on social media platform X tagging the DCP Ganga Nagar’s account and demanding strict action against the officer for this “shameful act.” In response, the official account of DCP Ganga Nagar replied: “Taking cognizance of the matter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ganga Nagar) has suspended the Soraon SHO based on a report from ACP Soraon. Departmental proceedings are underway.” The video was also shared by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on social media, urging the public to take note of it.

“It is unfortunate that the good efforts of those who are making arrangements to provide food and water to those stranded at the Maha Kumbh are being scuttled due to political animosity. The public should take notice!” the former UP Chief Minister said.

With the ongoing Maha Kumbh, which has seen millions of pilgrims coming to Prayagraj, a number of individuals, groups, and organizations have set up community kitchens to offer free or affordable meals to the visiting devotees.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Authorities implemented stringent security measures, managing massive crowds with AI-powered surveillance, drone monitoring, and increased police presence. While the Mela area has already been declared a no-vehicle zone for the next few days, the Prayagraj administration has also made an appeal to local residents to avoid using four wheelers and opt for two wheelers only if carrying senior citizens to the Sangam.

The railways is running 360 trains, including 190 special trains, to accommodate the unprecedented influx of pilgrims. “The special trains are being run in three zones — Northern Railway, North Eastern Railway and North Central Railway — to manage the massive influx of devotees,” Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board said.

The Uttar Pradesh government has deployed more than 1,000 medical professionals in the Maha Kumbh area, apart from provisions for minor to major surgeries in every sector of the fair area, an official statement said. Additionally, 300 specialist doctors are stationed at a super-specialty hospital in the Mahakumbh Nagar to handle any emergency situations.

New Delhi:

On a three-day visit to the Maha Kumbh, Philanthropist Sudha Murty helped serve the Mahaprasad in the ISKCON camp at Prayagraj. Wearing a green saree, and a black bag on her shoulders, Ms Murty is seen standing at the food counter, distributing chapattis to devotees visiting the Maha Kumbh.

Prayagraj | #Watch: Sudha Murthy helps serve the Mahaprasad in the ISKCON camp at Prayagraj#MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/NJjWykSxn8

— NDTV (@ndtv) January 22, 2025

In another video, Ms Murty is seen taking a tour of the ISKCON Mahaprasadam Kitchen and interacting with the volunteers, understanding how the food is prepared using machines.

Prayagraj | #Watch: Sudha Murthy touring the ISKCON Mahaprasadam Kitchen at Mahakumbh 2025, Prayagraj.#MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/whSSmzCMiz

— NDTV (@ndtv) January 22, 2025

Adani Group in collaboration with ISKCON is distributing Mahaprasad to more than 40 thousand devotees every day in the Maha Kumbh Mela area. ISKCON has undertaken the task of preparing the Mahaprasad in its kitchen built in Sector 19 of Prayagraj.

The kitchen, used to prepare Mahaprasad, is equipped with modern facilities like boilers to heat water and boil vegetables and rice. Tracks have been laid to carry heavy food containers. Three big machines have been installed to make rotis. Together, these machines prepare 10,000 rotis in an hour.

Excited Ms Murty arrived in Prayagraj on Monday. Calling Maha Kumbh a “Teerthraj”, Ms Murty said, “I am happy, excited and hopeful.”

Ms Murty took a holy dip in the Sangam on the first two days of her visit and intends to take it on the last day as well. Speaking to the news agency ANI, she said, “My maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, grandfather, none of them could come – that is why I have to offer tarpan in their name and I am very happy…”

People visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela take a holy dip at Sangam Triveni, believed to wash away their sins. The religious congregation which began on January 13 will continue till February 26 and is expected to host 45 crore people.

New Delhi:

Spiritual orator and motivational speaker Jaya Kishori has appealed to the youth to experience the Maha Kumbh at Sangam to “achieve peace, happiness and bliss”. In an exclusive interview with NDTV on the sidelines of Maha Kumbh 2025 in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, Ms Kishori shared her “surreal” experience of taking a dip in the Sangam for the first time. She believes she is “blessed” to do “Amrit Snan”.

Before the Snan (bath), Ms Kishori experienced a mix of nervousness and excitement but tension vanished as soon as she took the dip, she said, and added, “You feel calmness from within. You feel a different kind of energy within you, a positive one, and I think this is what every youth is struggling towards.”

Ms Kishori said that today’s youth want permanent happiness. “What we call in our shastras, anand; not maza or masti, anand. If you want that, please attend these kinds of things … You will find something very different, but a very positive and enriching experience.”

Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest gathering of humanity, began on January 13 and will culminate on February 26. Held once every 12 years, people attend Maha Kumbh to take a dip in the sacred waters, believed to wash away sins and purify the soul. This year, Maha Kumbh is expected to host around 45 crore people over the 45 days celebration.

In October last year, Ms Kishori received huge backlash for carrying a custom Dior “Book Tote” worth over Rs. 2 lakh. Known for her teachings on non-materialism and spiritual growth, Ms Kishori spoke about blending materialism with spirituality and gave an example of Arjuna.

“In Bhagavad Gita, not once Arjuna said that you have to leave everything or you have to leave the kingdom. He was taught to fight and live up to his dharma (religion). And, his dharma was to fight. If you are a student, your dharma is to study. Not that you don’t have to earn money through that. Everybody is working towards money,” she said.

Ms Kishori further explained that one has two options after student life – grihastha (householder) and vairagya (detachment). “If you are opting for grihastha, you should have a materialistic life. Buying something is not a problem. It is when things buy you. With money, you can take your country forward. But keep spirituality with you.”

In March 2024, the spiritual orator received the ‘Best Creator Award for Social Change’ from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She was praised for blending modernism with spirituality.

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh):

As the Maha Kumbh begins in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, the crowd at the holy Sangam keeps attracting eyeballs as seers and saints, with unique names, showcase their talents.

Starting from Chhotu and Chabhi Wale Baba to Bavander and Splendor Baba, now ‘Kaante Wale Baba’, also known as Ramesh Kumar Manjhi, has become a major attraction at Maha Kumbh.

Lying on thorns, ‘Kaante Wale Baba’ amazes devotees at Prayagraj.

“I serve the guru. Guru gave us knowledge and gave us full strength. It is all god’s glory that helps me do this (lay on thorns)… I have been doing this every year for the last 40-50 years… I do it because it benefits my body… It never hurts me… I donate half of the ‘dakshina’ I get and use the rest to meet my expenses…, he told ANI.

#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | Ramesh Kumar Manjhi alias Kaante Wale Baba lays down on thorns at #MahaKumbh2025 in Prayagraj. pic.twitter.com/4emU9LwZv9

— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025

Meanwhile, a 21-member delegation from 10 countries on Wednesday evening arrived at Arail Tent City in Prayagraj. The delegation is scheduled to take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam.

The delegation, invited by the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, will take a sacred dip at Triveni Sangam on January 16.

The visiting group includes representatives from Fiji, Finland, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This showcases the global interest in this spiritual event, which is a symbol of India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

During their visit, the delegation will participate in a heritage walk to explore the rich cultural and historical legacy of Prayagraj. They will also enjoy an aerial view of the Mahakumbh area during a helicopter ride. Dinner and rest arrangements have also been made at the tent city for their convenience.

Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh):

Prayagraj witnessed a large gathering of devotees at Triveni Sangam as Maha Kumbh commenced with the ‘Shahi Snan’ on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima on Monday.

A large number of devotees are arriving at the bank of Triveni Sangam – a sacred confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and ‘mystical’ Saraswati. Devotees took a holy dip and performed the sacred ritual on this auspicious occasion.

A devotee Vijay Kumar said, “… The arrangements here are very good. There is an arrangement for everything – for food and accommodation… the roads are also good.”

“We go to Kumbh Mela wherever it is organised. I live in a small temple – I go to every pilgrim in India…,” another devotee said.

A devotee from Rajasthan’s Jaipur, Chunni Lal said, “…I thank CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi; we all are feeling good by being here.”

“The government has made good arrangements. I am thankful to the media as well… We are going to take a holy dip,” a devotee said.

Meanwhile, NDRF teams and water police of Uttar Pradesh Police deployed at places to ensure the safety and security of devotees.

This year, Maha Kumbh, the largest spiritual gathering in the world, has become more special because of the rare celestial alignment that occurs only once in 144 years.

Traffic Police authorities have made elaborate arrangements and implemented a detailed plan to ensure smooth vehicular movement and safety for devotees visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela
Notably, the entry route to the Sangam Mela area will be through Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Black Road), while the exit route will be via Triveni Marg. During the major bathing festivals, the Akshayavat Darshan will remain closed for visitors.

Parking lots for vehicles coming from Jaunpur would include Chini Mill Parking, Purva Surdas Parking, Garapur Road, Samyamai Temple Kachar Parking and Badra Saunoti Rahimapur Marg, Northern/Southern Parking.

The Maha Kumbh is being celebrated after 12 years, and over 45 crore devotees are expected for the event. The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

India is all set to host the world’s largest gathering of humanity, with over 400 million people expected to gather in the city of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh for the Maha Kumbh Mela or Great Pitcher Festival. A sacred event for Hindus, the Maha Kumbh is set to start on Monday, with devotees from across India and beyond lining up to take a holy dip at the confluence of three sacred rivers – the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical, invisible Saraswati.

During six weeks from January 13 to February 26, pilgrims will take part in elaborate rituals, prayers and religious processions with elephants, as well as horse-back parades and chariots. 

Mythology Behind Maha Kumbh 

Source: AFP

The organisation of Maha Kumbh finds its roots in Hindu mythology that says lord Vishnu wrested a golden pitcher, or Kumbh, containing the nectar of immortality from demons. In a 12-day celestial fight for possession, four drops fell to earth, in the cities of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik, which host the festival every three years by rotation. 

The Kumbh is held once every 12 years in this cycle and has the prefix ‘maha’ (great) as it is considered more auspicious due to its timing and attracts the largest gathering.

Sacred Bathing

Source: AFP

A central part of the Kumbh Mela’s rituals is bathing in the holy rivers, with the dawn charge often led by naked, ash-smeared monks. Devout Hindus believe that taking a dip in the sacred waters during the Kumbh Mela absolves people of sins and brings salvation from the cycle of life and death.

Many pilgrims embrace a life of simplicity during the festival — vowing non-violence, celibacy and the offering of alms — and focusing on prayer and meditation. 

Key Dates

Source: AFP

The Holy bathing takes place every day of the Kumbh festivities, but on the most auspicious dates, it is known as Shahi Snan, or “royal bath”. Ceremonies also include the visually spectacular “aarti” when vast numbers of priests perform rituals holding flickering lamps.

Key dates include January 13, the start of the festivities that coincides with the full moon. One of the most popular days is January 29, Mauni Amavasya, when celestial alignments are said to be ideal for purifying waters. Celebrations culminate on February 26, Maha Shivaratri, the final holy bathing day. 

Mega Test Of Crowd Management

Source: AFP

Organisers say the scale of preparations for the Kumbh Mela is akin to setting up a country from scratch. It is a big test for authorities to showcase India’s ability to organise and manage the movement of millions of people and retain the ancient festival’s sanctity.

A sprawling 4,000 hectares of open land along the banks of the rivers has been converted into a temporary city to house the visitors in 150,000 tents and comes equipped with 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 restrooms and 99 parking lots.

Authorities are also installing up to 450,000 new electricity connections, with the Kumbh expected to drain more power than what 100,000 urban apartments in the region consume in a month.

Indian Railways has introduced 98 special trains that will make 3,300 trips during the festival to transport visitors besides regular trains that connect Prayagraj.

Prashant Kumar, the police chief of Uttar Pradesh, said around 40,000 police personnel and cybercrime experts have created a web of surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to protect and help navigate the sea of humanity at the site.

“Security and safety of pilgrims is our priority,” said Kumar.

Emergency response capabilities include 125 road ambulances, seven river ambulances and air ambulances for swift medical assistance.

The state government has allocated 64 billion rupees ($765 million) for this year’s event, officials said. It has also promoted the Kumbh Mela at several international tourism expositions and invited foreign representatives.