By The Straits Times | Created at 2025-01-30 07:40:55 | Updated at 2025-01-30 19:12:22
11 hours ago
PRAYAGRAJ, India - Millions of devout Hindus thronged the northern Indian city of Prayagraj on Jan 30 for the Maha Kumbh festival, a day after dozens died in a stampede on the most auspicious day of the six-week event.
But some devotees remained nervous after the fatal crush.
Mr Krishna Soni, a student from the western state of Rajasthan's Bikaner city, and his family of eight linked themselves together with string to ensure they would not lose each other in the massive crowd.
"We are walking very carefully and trying to avoid the crowded areas," he told Reuters.
Police said 30 people were killed on Jan 29 in a crush at the world's biggest gathering of humanity and 60 were injured, but sources told Reuters the death toll was nearly 40.
Indian authorities have ordered a probe into the incident which occurred when people surged towards a river to take a dip in its waters as part of the festival.
More than 76 million people on Jan 29 took what is called a "royal dip" in the river waters up until 8pm, and three more "royal dips" are scheduled before the festival ends.
On Jan 30, more than nine million people took a "holy dip" at the confluence of three sacred rivers by 10am, officials said.
Devotees take “holy dips” everyday, but on specific dates the practice is considered particularly sacred and is called a “royal” dip, attracting larger crowds.
Hindu ascetic holy men take part in a sacred bathing ritual during the Kumbh Mela festival at Sangam, in Prayagraj, on Jan 29.PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Devout Hindus believe that taking a dip at the confluence of three sacred rivers - the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati - absolves them of sins and brings salvation from the cycle of birth and death.
The Hindu festival - held every 12 years - is expected to draw some 400 million devotees in 2025, officials estimate. The Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, in comparison, drew 1.8 million people in 2024.
Railway and bus stations across Prayagraj saw a surge in crowds on Jan 30 as people continued to arrive for the festival, but authorities said the rush was being managed and there were no incidents.
"Things are now totally under control," senior police officer Vaibhav Krishna told Reuters.
Opposition leaders have blamed the stampede on mismanagement and urged the government to improve festival arrangements, while local media said on Jan 30 that better crowd planning was needed to prevent such incidents.
"There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh," the Hindustan Times newspaper said in an editorial.
Authorities erected a temporary city across 4,000ha on the river banks - the size of 7,500 football fields - with 150,000 tents to accommodate devotees and almost an equal number of toilets. More than 50,000 personnel are on guard to ensure the safety of visitors. REUTERS
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