A tragic stampede happened on Wednesday at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a huge religious festival in northern India. This event, which is very important to many Hindus, led to several deaths and injuries. The stampede occurred on a special day called ‘Mauni Amavasya,’ when millions of visitors come to take a holy dip in the rivers.
Why is this day special? Mauni Amavasya, or the new moon day, is a sacred day for Hindus. This year, it was extra special because of a rare event called ‘Triveni Yog’. This cosmic alignment happens only once every 144 years and involves the sun, moon, mercury, and Jupiter in certain positions in the sky. In Hindu stories, this day is important because the sage Rishabh Dev broke his long silence and took a dip in the holy waters. Many believe that bathing on this day, especially before dawn, brings spiritual growth and cleansing. This bath, known as Shahi Snan (royal bath), is a chance for devotees to wash away their sins.
Officials expected 100 million people to attend the Kumbh Mela on this day, which would break the record for the largest crowd in one day. By noon, over 42 million people had already participated. The previous record was set in 2019 with 50 million visitors.
To manage the large crowd, authorities made special arrangements. Indian Railways added 360 extra trains to bring people to Prayagraj. Over 1,000 medical staff were on-site to help anyone in need. They also prepared for the mountain of garbage expected from the festival, estimating up to 1,500 tons each day, much more than usual. Security measures and traffic rules were tightened to keep everyone safe.
Sadly, the stampede has overshadowed the celebrations, and officials are investigating what caused this disaster, promising that they will ensure safety in the future
Leave a Reply