In the early hours of Wednesday, Prayagraj witnessed a huge crowd gathering near the ghats of Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya in Mahakumbh. Over 80 to 100 million people are expected to reach the ghats.
Visuals from Kali Marg, Sangam Ghat and Jhusi area show thousands of people gathered at the ghats, and waiting behind barricades to get their entry for the holy dip.
Mela Adhikari, Mahakumbh, Vijay Kiran Anand released the schedule for the Mauni Amavasya snan following a meeting with the Akharas.
Sanyasi Akharas will begin departing their camps as early as 4:00 AM, with the first Akharas arriving at the ghat by 5:00 AM. Each Akhara will perform the ritual for a set duration, with return times scheduled throughout the day, according to a statement by the Uttar Pradesh government.
The Panchayati Akhara, Mahanirvani and Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara, both part of the Sanyasi Akharas, will also depart from their camp at 4:00 AM. They are expected to arrive at the ghat by 5:00 AM for the ceremonial bath, which will last for 40 minutes.
Afterwards, the Akharas will leave the ghat at 5:40 AM and reach their camp by 6:40 AM.
Similarly, Taponidhi Panchayati, Niranjani Akhara, and Panchayati Akhara Anand will depart from their camp at 4:50 AM, arriving at the ghat by 5:50 AM. Their departure from the ghat will be at 6:30 AM, and they will return to their camp by 7:30 AM, the statement added.
Other key bathing dates of the Mahakumbh include February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).
Meanwhile, a ‘stampede-like’ situation arose at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday, leading to some people being injured, according to Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana.
On the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, over 80 to 100 million people are expected to gather at the Sangam Ghats.
The officer mentioned that the incident happened after some barriers in the area broke, leading to injuries. However, the injured were taken to the hospital and getting treatment and reiterated that it is not a serious situation.
“On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured. They are under treatment. It is not a serious situation,” she told reporters.
Multiple tourists expressed their gratitude of getting to attend the religious congregation. A person from Hubballi, Karnataka expressed his happiness for being able to witness such an event.
“I have come from Hubballi, Karnataka. It is very crowded, but I am happy to be here at the Triveni Sangam. We will never get to see this moment again. Our children or grandchildren will not get to see it. Only, we are fortunate enough to be here,” he said.
International tourists expressed their gratitude of getting to experience the ‘amrit snan’ on this day.
Pascal, a tourist from Belgium said that he also visited during the previous Maha Kumbh in 2013 and will be taking the holy dip around 5:25 AM.
“I am very happy to be here. This is my second time here. I also came here in 2013. I came again after 12 years. It is a unique experience… I will take the Amrit Snan at 5.25… The people are very welcoming…,” Pascal said. -TIN Bureau