Maha Kumbh Live: “Don’t Go Towards Sangam,” Yogi Adityanath Urges Devotees

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged citizens to not believe rumours and instead be patient as the state government deals with a stampede-like situation. Devotees can take a holy dip at closest ghats instead of stressing on going to Sangam nose, he said. “The situation is under control,” Chief Minister added.

Akhadas and religious gurus have unanimously decided to take a dip in the sangam after devotees, said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. “Saints have said that devotees will take a dip first. Once the crowd settles down, then we will go to Sangam for a dip,” he said. 

Eight to 10 crore devotees are in Prayagraj today, said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while addressing the media on the Maha Kumbh Stampede. Last night, between 1-2 am, some people tried to break barricades, resulting in a stampede-like situation. Some devotees were critically injured. They were immediately taken to the hospital, said Chief Minister Adityanath. 

#MahakumbhStampede | “Some people tried to break barricades”: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath#MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/BFN1S36v1X

— NDTV (@ndtv) January 29, 2025

Devotees continue to gather at the Maha Kumbh for ‘Amrit Snan’ in Triveni waters on ‘Mauni Amavasya’. Over 2.78 crores have taken a dip today till 8 am.

19.94 crore people have taken holy dip as of January 28, according to the Uttar Pradesh government. 

#WATCH | Prayagraj | Massive crowd of devotees continue to gather in Mahakumbh area to take holy dip in Triveni waters on Mauni Amavasya
1.75 crore people have taken holy dip today till 6 am; a total of 19.94 crore people have taken holy dip till 28th January, as per UP govt. pic.twitter.com/AsNs81fUa9

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously monitoring the situation at Maha Kumbh and is in constant contact with the state government. PM Modi has spoken with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath thrice since the stampede-like situation unfolded at the Sangam. He is giving directions for normalisation of the situation and relief.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called for a high-level meet to review the stampede-like situation that unfolded at the Maha Kumbh in the early hours of Wednesday. Senior officers including UP Director General of Police and Chief Secretary have been summoned at Chief Minister’s home in Lucknow.  

BJP MP Hema Malini took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya today. “It is my good fortune that I got the opportunity to do ‘snan’ on this auspicious day,” she said.

Ms Malini was accompanied by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara and Yog guru Baba Ramdev.

#WATCH | #MahaKumbh2025 | BJP MP Hema Malini took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya today
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara and Yog guru Baba Ramdev also took holy dip today pic.twitter.com/aYDWDiGCWr

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025

Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara and Yog guru Baba Ramdev offered prayers on Mauni Amavasya at Triveni ghat during the ongoing Maha Kumbh. Yog Guru said, “We have taken a holy dip today keeping the injured persons in our prayers and wishing for their early recovery. We did a symbolic ‘snan’ today and prayed for the well-being of the people.”

#WATCH | Prayagraj | Yog guru Baba Ramdev says, “We have taken a holy dip today keeping the injured persons in our prayers and wishing for their early recovery. We did a symbolic ‘snan’ today and prayed for the well-being of the people.”#MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/pWpnkUUPgu

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025

Pilgrims continue to take holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ during the ongoing Maha Kumbh. A stampede-like situation unfolded at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday.

“I have been here since January 5. The Police and Administration are taking care of everything,” said a pilgrim.

#WATCH | Prayagraj | Pilgrims continue to take holy bath at Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amawasya during Mahakumbh
A pilgrim says, “I have been here since 5th January. The Police and Administration are taking care of everything.” pic.twitter.com/aBc97CypQw

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025

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.

The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh. This year, the occasion holds added spiritual importance due to a rare celestial alignment known as ‘Triveni Yog,’ which occurs once every 144 years.

Mauni Amavasya is considered the most auspicious date as it is believed that on this day, the water of the holy rivers turns into ‘Amrit.’

As per tradition of the Kumbh Mela, Akharas belonging to the three sects ‘Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen’ take the holy dip in a set sequence following a majestic, awe-inspiring procession to the Sangam Ghat.

The seers and saints, including the ash-smeared Nagas, then immerse themselves in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers on special bathing dates like the Mauni Amavasya. The government also planned to shower 25 quintals of rose petals using helicopters on the devotees.

Hours after a stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to bathe at the ghat closest to them. He appealed to them to not go towards the Triveni Sangam for the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya.

The chief minister spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second time in an hour, with the latter directing him to ensure immediate relief measures for the affected.

महाकुम्भ-2025, प्रयागराज आए प्रिय श्रद्धालुओं,
माँ गंगा के जिस घाट के आप समीप हैं, वहीं स्नान करें, संगम नोज की ओर जाने का प्रयास न करें।
आप सभी प्रशासन के निर्देशों का अनुपालन करें, व्यवस्था बनाने में सहयोग करें।
संगम के सभी घाटों पर शांतिपूर्वक स्नान हो रहा है। किसी भी अफवाह…

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 29, 2025

Sadhus of Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani return without ‘snan’ (holy dip) after a stampede-like situation erupted on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.

“We came in a batch of 60 people in two buses. We were nine people in the group. Suddenly there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell and the crowd went uncontrolled,” Sarojini from Karnataka said, weeping outside the hospital in Prayagraj.

“There was no chance for escape, there was pushing from all sides,” the woman told PTI Videos, as she narrated the stampede-like situation that broke on Wednesday morning at the Sangam.

As crores of people arrived at the Maha Kumbh to take a holy dip (Amrit Snan) on ‘Mauni Amavasya, a stampede-like situation broke out in the early hours of Wednesday.

Devotees who suffered injuries during a stampede-like situation at Sangam in the Maha Kumbh are undergoing treatment at the central hospital established in the Mela area.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah dialed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath following a stampede-like situation at the Sangam during the ‘Mauni Amavasya’ celebrations at the Maha Kumbh. Mr Shah assured Mr Adityanath of full support from the Centre.

“I appeal to the people that the entire Mela Kshetra is Kumbh, hence they may take a bath at any ghat. The entire Sangam is called Triveni Ghat,” said Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti.

Rescue operations underway after a stampede-like situation broke out at the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj.

Following a stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh, the seers have called off their scheduled Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri said.

“All of our saints and seers were ready for the ‘snan’ when we were informed about this incident. That’s why we have decided to call off our ‘snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya’,” Mahant Ravindra Puri told PTI Videos.

Bags and other belongings lay scattered at the scene after a stampede occurred at Sangam on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ during the ongoing ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ festival, in Prayagraj.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take stock of the situation at the Maha Kumbh Mela, reviewed the developments, and called for immediate support measures.

The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya is the most significant ritual of the Maha Kumbh. This year, a rare celestial alignment called ‘Triveni Yog’ is occurring after 144 years, amplifying the spiritual significance of the day.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 has already witnessed over 15 crore pilgrims taking a holy dip in the past 17 days, the state government said on Tuesday.

A stampede broke out at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday, ahead of the ‘Amrit Snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ which is expected to draw around 10 crore pilgrims.