barikbimala5By the time night fell over the sprawling grounds of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the sacred riverbanks had become scenes of anguish and disarray, devotees gathered for the ‘Amrit Snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ told The India Express.
Torn sandals, discarded clothing, and personal belongings lay scattered across the ghats, as police officers formed human chains, shouting instructions over loudspeakers in an effort to restore order. Hours after a stampede-like incident unfolded at the holy gathering on Wednesday, families desperately searched for loved ones lost in the chaos, their hopes of a sacred pilgrimage shattered by the unfolding tragedy.
Basdev Sharma said he had come from Sultanpur with his family, their hearts set on the holy bath. They were carrying their belongings with them, their money tucked away.@gmail.com
“There was suddenly too much crowd,” Basdev said, his voice trembling. “One of my family members was crushed under the stampede. We had taken our dip and were returning when we saw her lying unconscious.”
His relative suffered severe injuries to her chest and legs, trampled by the relentless wave of devotees. “People just walked over her,” he said. “No one even stopped.”
Ram Prasad Yadav had also come from Sultanpur. He said he found himself gasping for breath as the crowds swelled dangerously. “I was making my way towards the river when suddenly, I felt myself falling,” he said. “Before I could get up, the crowd walked over me.”
His injuries were minor, but his 65-year-old mother wasn’t as lucky. She was severely hurt in the chaos. “We had to call an ambulance to take her to the hospital,” he said. “But now, we have no money. No phone. I don’t even know how we will return home.
For Devika, the nightmare hasn’t ended. Her aunt, Sri Bai Rajput, remains missing.
“20 of us were together when we went for our bath at around 12:30 am,” she said. “Then the crowd started to swell. Within minutes, I lost her.”
She has spent the past several hours running from one lost and found centre to another, calling out her aunt’s name, making frantic announcements. “So far, she hasn’t been found,” she added.
Her family, shaken and exhausted, has taken refuge under a bridge. Aware of the cold at night, having spent hours in a wet sari herself, Devika said: “My aunt had nothing with her, just a shawl. At this point, I don’t know if she’s still alive.”
Around her, she said, lay slippers abandoned mid-step, half-opened bags of food, metal utensils knocked aside in the chaos.
Kishore Kumar Sahu from Jharkhand had arrived with ten of his family members, eager to participate in the sacred ritual. They had taken a bath in the afternoon and returned at night for another dip.
“I saw my wife changing her clothes before going into the river,” he recalled. “That was the last time I saw her.”
The crowd exploded in a sudden burst of movement, sweeping people apart in an instant, he said. Kishore has been searching for his wife ever since, his fingers clutching her Aadhar card and a small wad of crumpled notes.
“I have filed a missing complaint in four places,” he said. “But the administration is just busy managing law and order. No one is helping us find our people.”
For ambulance driver Sarvesh Singh, the night was one of relentless urgency.
“The administration cleared the way for us, but by the time we got there, it was already too late for some,” he said. “I carried two dead bodies and one man with a badly injured leg.”
Shaken by what he saw, he said: “People don’t realize how dangerous these crowds are until it’s too late.”
Ramesh from Guna said he has been wandering the ghats since last night, searching for his wife and two children.
“The situation was such that you couldn’t save anyone,” he said, his voice hollow. “I had to run for my life.”
When the panic subsided, he turned back, but his family was gone. “Now, they are missing,” he said. “I have no phone, no money. I don’t know where they are. I don’t even know where to start looking.”
Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Stampede location
A stampede occurred at the Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj. Hindus consider the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers converge, the holiest site. They believe bathing in its waters during the Maha Kumbh, especially on auspicious days like Mauni Amavasya, washes away sins and offers “moksha” or salvation.
Stampede at Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Number of casualties
A doctor at the festival confirmed the casualties to news agency AFP, stating, “At least 15 people have died for now. Others are being treated.”
What should pilgrims looking to go to the Maha Kumbh know
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged devotees to:
- Take a dip at the ghats near Maa Ganga and avoid heading towards the Sangam Nose.
- Utilise the many bathing ghats that have been set up for this purpose.
- Follow the administration’s instructions, cooperate with the arrangements, and ignore rumours.
To ensure a hassle-free visit to the Maha Kumbh 2025:
- Obtain a valid passport and visa if you are an international visitor.
- Inquire about any necessary permits for access to pilgrim camps or specific festival zones.
- Consult a healthcare professional to discuss recommended vaccinations, including hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and influenza. Pack a comprehensive first-aid kit containing antiseptics, medications, and others.
In 2013, a devastating crowd rush at a railway platform during the Kumbh Mela claimed 42 lives and injured 45 others. This year, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Yogi Adityanath, has anticipated 40 crore attendees during the six-week festival, drawing people from across India. The government has implemented advanced technology to manage the massive influx to ensure safety of pilgrims the event.
