Mahakumbh Nagar: The Akharas are set to resume their holy dip at the Sangam in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj after initially calling it off due to the stampede on Mauni Amavasya in the early hours of Wednesday.
Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Mahant Ravindra Puri confirmed that as the crowd thins and designated ghats are cleared, the Akharas will proceed with the ritual. Devotees continued to arrive, though in smaller processions, at the Triveni Sangam for the second Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
Puri said that the holy dip was initially postponed due to overcrowding but will be resumed as the situation eases. "Our Mahamandleshwars, Mandaleshwars, Naga Sadhus, and devotees will take a holy dip today," he said, adding that the processions would proceed on a smaller scale.
Senior seers, including Chidanad Saraswati of Parmarth Ashram, urged devotees to avoid overcrowding and bathe at nearby ghats. Juna Akhara head Mahant Avadeshanand, along with Yoga Guru Ramdev, led a symbolic dip in solidarity with the victims. "We prayed for the peace and progress of the country," he stated.
Earlier in the day, panic ensued after a barrier collapsed at the Sangam, leading to several injuries. AFP reported at least 15 deaths, though officials have not confirmed any fatalities. Special Duy Officer Akanksha Rana stated that injured individuals had been hospitalised and authorities were monitoring the situation.
The Uttar Pradesh government reported that 2.78 crore devotees had taken the holy dip by 8 AM. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged pilgrims to use the nearest ghats instead of rushing to a single location.
With an estimated 80-100 million devotees expected, upcoming key bathing dates include February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivratri).
Earlier in the day, Puri had said that due to the stampede, the seers called off their Mauni Amavasya's Amrit Snan. "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 had said.
As per the tradition of the Kumbh Mela, Akharas belonging to the three sects—Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen—take the holy dip in a set sequence after a majestic, awe-inspiring procession to the Sangam Ghat.
The seers and saints, including the ash-smeared Nagas, then immerse themselves in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers on special bathing dates like the Mauni Amavasya, which are marked by special celestial alignments and considered holy among Hindus.
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. (with agency inputs)
