Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri on Wednesday said that the seers have called off their Mauni Amavasya's Amrit Snan. due to the stampede-like situation due Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
He appealed to the people to come on Vasant Panchmi for a snan instead of today and added that the incident happened because devotees wanted to reach Sangam Ghat.
"We are saddened by the incident that took place. There were thousands of devotees with us... In the public interest, we decided that the Akharas will not participate in the Snan today... I appeal to the people to come on Vasant Panchami for a snan instead of today... Also, the incident happened because devotees wanted to reach Sangam Ghat; instead, they should take a dip wherever they see the Holy Ganga... It is not the fault of the administration; it is not easy to handle crores of people... We should cooperate with the authorities," Puri told ANI.
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti expressed her grief situation after the chaos.
She further advised devotees to take a bath at any ghat and not just the Triveni Ghat, adding that the entire Mela Kshetra is Kumbh.
"This is a sad incident. Whatever happened was not right. Akhara Parishad has decided to cancel their Amrit Snan, keeping in mind the public interest... The number of gathered devotees is more than anticipated... I appeal to the people that the entire Mela Kshetra is Kumbh; hence they may take a bath at any ghat and not just the Triveni Ghat," Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said.
A stampede-like situation broke out at Sangam in the early hours of Wednesday at the Sangam, where several people, including women and children, suffered injuries.
Also Read: Stampede breaks out at Maha Kumbh, casualties feared
"You would've seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to... All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident. That's why we have decided to call off our 'snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya'," Puri told PTI Videos.
Akharas belonging to the three sects including Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen take a holy dip according to the tradition. A procession is held before the bath.
On Tuesday, a day before the Mauni Amavasya, nearly 5 crore people reached for the dip during the fair, according to estimates of the Uttar Pradesh government, which expects the crowd to be around 10 crore on Wednesday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, too, spoke with the chief minister, assuring him full support from the Centre.
Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana said that a "stampede-like" situation happened in the early hours of Wednesday after some barriers broke, leading to injuries.
However, she said the situation was not serious and that the injured were receiving medical treatment.
"On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured and are under treatment. It is not a serious situation," she told reporters.
Rescue operation have begun and those injured have been taken to Central Hospital.
Budget with ET
India, get ready for the modern warfare of tomorrow
Women, youth, farmers and poor can continue to be Budget 2025's ‘roti, kapda aur makan’
Modi govt has a key task in Budget 2025: Unlocking the PLI goldmine
"We are saddened by the incident that took place. There were thousands of devotees with us... In the public interest, we decided that the Akharas will not participate in the Snan today... I appeal to the people to come on Vasant Panchami for a snan instead of today... Also, the incident happened because devotees wanted to reach Sangam Ghat; instead, they should take a dip wherever they see the Holy Ganga... It is not the fault of the administration; it is not easy to handle crores of people... We should cooperate with the authorities," Puri told ANI.
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti expressed her grief situation after the chaos.
She further advised devotees to take a bath at any ghat and not just the Triveni Ghat, adding that the entire Mela Kshetra is Kumbh.
"This is a sad incident. Whatever happened was not right. Akhara Parishad has decided to cancel their Amrit Snan, keeping in mind the public interest... The number of gathered devotees is more than anticipated... I appeal to the people that the entire Mela Kshetra is Kumbh; hence they may take a bath at any ghat and not just the Triveni Ghat," Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said.
A stampede-like situation broke out at Sangam in the early hours of Wednesday at the Sangam, where several people, including women and children, suffered injuries.
Also Read: Stampede breaks out at Maha Kumbh, casualties feared
"You would've seen what happened in the morning, and that's why we have decided to... All of our saints and seers were ready for the 'snan' when we were informed about this incident. That's why we have decided to call off our 'snan' on 'Mauni Amavasya'," Puri told PTI Videos.
Akharas belonging to the three sects including Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen take a holy dip according to the tradition. A procession is held before the bath.
On Tuesday, a day before the Mauni Amavasya, nearly 5 crore people reached for the dip during the fair, according to estimates of the Uttar Pradesh government, which expects the crowd to be around 10 crore on Wednesday.
PM Modi, Amit Shah speak to UP CM Yogi Adityanath
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to review the situation. The Prime Minister called for immediate support measures.Union Home Minister Amit Shah, too, spoke with the chief minister, assuring him full support from the Centre.
Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana said that a "stampede-like" situation happened in the early hours of Wednesday after some barriers broke, leading to injuries.
However, she said the situation was not serious and that the injured were receiving medical treatment.
"On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured and are under treatment. It is not a serious situation," she told reporters.
Rescue operation have begun and those injured have been taken to Central Hospital.