Following a tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, grieving families mourned the loss of at least 30 individuals while tending to the 60 others who were injured in the incident. The stampede occurred on the riverbank as millions of Hindus gathered to participate in the sacred bathing ritual.
The Uttar Pradesh state government has taken swift action by appointing a retired judge to investigate the stampede and provide a report within a month. Despite the tragedy, the festival continued with devotees engaging in the bathing ritual as scheduled.
Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as families cremated their loved ones, and injured pilgrims received medical care in hospital wards. One survivor recounted his experience of falling during the stampede, while another individual expressed concern for missing family members who had attended the pilgrimage.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene as religious chants gave way to screams and cries for help. The stampede occurred as pilgrims rushed towards a sacred river confluence, inadvertently trampling those who were waiting their turn to bathe in the river.
Wednesday marked a significant day in the six-week Hindu festival, with an estimated 100 million devotees expected to participate in the ritual bath at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Hindus believe that bathing at this holy site can purify them of past sins and bring an end to the cycle of reincarnation.
The Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj is anticipated to draw nearly 400 million attendees over 45 days, making it the largest religious gathering in the world. The sheer magnitude of participants surpasses the population of the United States and dwarfs the number of pilgrims who attended the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia last year.
The festival commenced on January 13 and continues to be a significant event for Hindus worldwide, despite the tragic incident that has cast a shadow over the celebrations.
