Ayodhya:

While lakhs of pilgrims flock to Prayagraj for the ‘Mauni Amavasya snan’, the holy city of Ayodhya also witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotees on the auspicious occasion.

In the early morning, devotees took a holy dip in the Saryu River in silence and proceeded to the grand Ram Temple to pay obeisance to Lord Ram. The Ayodhya Dham reverberated with chants of “Shri Ram”.

The temple town remained packed with worshippers throughout the day, with long queues outside Ram Mandir and Hanumangarhi.

Pilgrims from the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj are heading to Ayodhya. Anticipating the surge, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already instructed officials to ensure seamless crowd management.

Top government officials are implementing meticulous arrangements for smooth darshan and puja.

According to government estimates, over 50 lakh devotees have arrived in Ayodhya in the past 72 hours, and the influx is expected to continue until Basant Panchami.

Surge in devotees at Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi on Mauni Amavasya

Thousands of devotees thronged the Saryu ghats for a holy dip, with Chaudhary Charan Singh Ghat seeing the largest influx.

After their ritual bath, many proceeded to Hanumangarhi before seeking Ram Lala’s darshan.

A massive crowd stretched from Shringar Haat to the temple premises, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.

Similar scenes were observed at the Ram Temple, where devotees queued up in large numbers for darshan.

Business booms as pilgrim footfall increases

The growing influx of devotees in Ayodhya Dham has significantly boosted local businesses.

From ‘prasad’ sellers to hoteliers, the surge in footfall has led to a sharp increase in their sales and profits. Homestay operators, too, are witnessing a rise in bookings as pilgrims flock to the holy city, adding to Ayodhya’s economic activity.

To ensure the safety and well-being of the massive crowd arriving in Ayodhya Dham, authorities have implemented strict security and health measures.

The entry of all types of vehicles into the fair area has been completely restricted, with heavy police deployment at key locations to maintain order.

The Health Department is also on high alert, with all doctors’ leaves canceled until Basant Panchami.

Emergency services will remain operational 24×7 to handle any medical needs.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pushpendra Kumar confirmed that 13 temporary health camps will continue to function until February 26 to provide immediate medical assistance to pilgrims.

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

Prayagraj:

On the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, more than 57.1 million devotees took a holy dip in the Triveni waters today, said an official statement from Uttar Pradesh Information Department.

The ongoing religious event has witnessed an overwhelming show of faith, with millions gathering at the Triveni Sangam to mark this auspicious day of spiritual cleansing and devotion.

The number of Kalpwasis, who observe month-long spiritual austerities, exceeded 1 million, adding to the spiritual fervor.

The total footfall for the ongoing Magh Mela has now surpassed 199.4 million, even as a stampede-like situation briefly occurred due to the overwhelming rush at key bathing ghats.

Earlier in the day, Members of Akhara’s gathered in small numbers at Triveni Sangam to take an ‘Amrit Snan’ on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya.

Digambar Naga Baba Chidanand Puri of Panchayati Niranjani Akhara speaking to ANI after taking ‘Amrit snan’ said that after today’s stampede-like situation in Maha Kumbh people from Niranjani Akhara are coming in small numbers to take a holy dip.

“Due to an unexpected event today, our (Akharas) shobha yatra could not be taken out. We are now coming to take a holy dip in small numbers,” Digambar Naga Baba said.

This comes after a stampede-like situation arose at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in several injuries. This incident occurred as millions of devotees gathered at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, which is also the day of the Second Shahi Snan.

Following the incident, heavy security has been deployed at the Triveni Sangam as police pave the way for Akharas and saints for their Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

According to the Uttar Pradesh government, 36.1 million devotees had taken the holy dip at Triveni by 10 AM on Wednesday. Other key bathing dates during the Mahakumbh include February 3 (Basant Panchami), 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:

Piles of clothes, shoes, bags and other discarded belongings were seen on the ground after a stampede broke out at Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, this morning.

Several people were feared dead and more than 30 others were injured in the crush that took place around 1 am when millions of devotees gathered near Sangam – the point where the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers meet – to take traditional ‘Amrit Snan’ or holy dip on ‘Mauni Amavasya’, one of the holiest days of the six-week event.

Visuals showed devotees’ belongings like clothes, blankets and backpacks strewn around the scene of the stampede. Many people were seen stepping over those belongings while trying to escape the crush.

Photo Credit: PTI

Photo Credit: PTI

Some people were also seen climbing barriers and rushing through pontoons after the stampede.

Photo Credit: PTI

Photo Credit: PTI

There is so far no official confirmation of the number of deaths or injuries.

How Stampede At Maha Kumbh Mela Occurred

The stampede occurred between 1 am and 2 am when some devotees climbed over the barricades at Akhara Marg, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.

“Between 1 am to 2 am, at the akhara route where arrangements were made for the Amrit Snan of the akharas, some devotees crossed over the barricades and were critically injured. They were immediately rushed to hospital where treatment was promptly ensured,” he said after holding a high-level meeting in the state capital, Lucknow.

Photo Credit: PTI

He said the situation in Prayagraj is “under control” but the “crowd pressure is still there”.

Mr Adityanath also appealed to people to take a dip in the Ganga at their nearest ghats and not try to reach the Sangam Nose.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister JP Nadda had called him up since morning to take stock of the situation.

PM Modi On Maha Kumbh Stampede

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his deepest condolences to the devotees who lost their family members in the stampede at the Maha Kumbh and described the tragedy as “extremely saddening”.

In a post on X, he said the local administration in Prayagraj is giving all possible help to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

“I have been speaking to Chief Minister Yogi ji and am in constant touch with the state government,” he said.

प्रयागराज महाकुंभ में हुआ हादसा अत्यंत दुखद है। इसमें जिन श्रद्धालुओं ने अपने परिजनों को खोया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। इसके साथ ही मैं सभी घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। स्थानीय प्रशासन पीड़ितों की हरसंभव मदद में जुटा हुआ है। इस सिलसिले में मैंने…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2025

Dubbed the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the Maha Kumbh is being held after 12 years and kicked off in Prayagraj on January 13. It will continue till February 26.

Photo Credit: ANI

The Sangam is considered the holiest by Hindus, with a belief that taking a dip in it during Maha Kumbh and particularly on special bathing dates like Mauni Amavasya washes away people’s sins and provides them ‘moksha’ or salvation.

Nearly 20 crore pilgrims have so far taken a dip and officials expect a total footfall of around 40 crore devotees.

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:

The railways is running 360 trains, including 190 special trains, for millions of devotees expected to visit the Maha Kumbh Mela on ‘Mauni Amavasya’, Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, said on Tuesday.

The ‘Amrit Snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ on Wednesday is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims to the Maha Kumbh.

Talking to reporters here, Kumar said that the railways has taken extensive measures to accommodate the unprecedented influx of pilgrims and decided to significantly increase train services for ‘Mauni Amavasya’, the most auspicious day of the Maha Kumbh.

“Railways is operating 360 trains for this occasion, including 190 special trains. 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,” Kumar said.

“This historic move will ensure a train runs every four minutes, and provide seamless connectivity and uninterrupted travel for millions of pilgrims,” he added.

According to Kumar, Indian Railways has undertaken massive efforts to ensure smooth and convenient travel for millions of devotees attending the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

Kumar highlighted that the railways has developed infrastructure worth Rs 5,000 crore in and around Prayagraj to support the Maha Kumbh Mela, ensuring timely upgrades and enhanced capacity.

He also mentioned some of the key infrastructure developments such as new road under bridges (RUBs) and road over bridges (ROBs), track doubling and station upgrades, which have made this record-breaking train service possible by decongesting the rail lines.

“Indian Railways has significantly improved passenger amenities to ensure a seamless journey for devotees. Every station in Prayagraj possesses newly constructed toilets along with ample drinking water and food courts,” Kumar said.

He added, “In case of an emergency, ‘First Aid’ booths and medical observation rooms will provide the needed assistance. At Prayagraj Junction and Prayagraj Chheoki, the Yatri Suvidha Kendra will assist devotees with wheelchairs, luggage trolleys, hotel and taxi bookings, medicines, baby milk and other essentials.” Regarding passenger safety, Kumar said that RPF personnel are deployed at railway stations to ensure seamless boarding and deboarding.

“To facilitate smooth movement, colour-coded tickets and designated ‘Ashriya Asthals’ have been introduced,” Kumar said.

He further said that RPF personnel escort devotees from the ‘Ashriya Asthals’ and assist them in reaching the trains.

Kumar also praised the Uttar Pradesh government’s arrangements for the convenience of the devotees.

“In a coordinated effort with the Uttar Pradesh government, Indian Railways has established multiple holding areas where passengers can wait comfortably in tents,” Kumar said.

“These areas are equipped with food arrangements and display information in several languages. One of the largest such areas is Khusro Bagh, located just outside Prayagraj station, which can accommodate up to 1 lakh passengers at a time,” he said. 

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