Subhechcha Ganguly 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deepest condolences following the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, which led to several injuries and fatalities. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi described the incident as “extremely sad” and extended his sympathies to the devotees who lost their loved ones. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The stampede occurred in the early hours of Wednesday during the ‘Shahi Snan’ at the Triveni Sangam, when a surging crowd broke through a police cordon, resulting in bystanders being trampled. According to sources, at least 15 bodies have been brought to the hospital.
Modi reassured the public that local authorities were working tirelessly to assist the victims and mentioned that he had spoken to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with whom he remains in constant contact.
This year’s Maha Kumbh is marked by the rare ‘Triveni Yog,’ a celestial alignment occurring once in 144 years, enhancing the spiritual significance of the event.
The stampede occurred around 2 am, as the blaring sirens of ambulances and police vehicles cut through the chants of mantras and shlokas from the Mela area. Injured pilgrims were taken to the central hospital in the Mela grounds, where many family members and senior officials gathered.
The Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers converge, is revered by Hindus as the holiest site for a spiritual dip, believed to wash away sins and grant ‘moksha’ or salvation.
