Vikrant Shekhawat : Jan 30, 2025, 09:53 PM
Mahakumbh 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Prayagraj on February 5 is likely to be cancelled, however, there is no official statement about this yet. The visit was scheduled in view of the important baths of Mahakumbh. Mahakumbh was inaugurated on January 13, and its first Amrit Snan was held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.Major baths of Mahakumbh:There are a total of five Amrit Snans in Mahakumbh, out of which two baths have been done. The second Amrit Snan took place on the day of Mauni Amavasya. Now three major baths are left:Basant Panchami (February 8) - Brahma Muhurta: 5:23 am to 6:16 am.Magh Purnima (February 12) - Brahma Muhurta: 5:19 am to 6:10 am.Mahashivratri (February 26) - Brahma Muhurta: 5:09 am to 5:59 am.Tragedy caused by stampede:During the royal bath on the day of Mauni Amavasya, a stampede occurred due to heavy crowd, which claimed the lives of 30 people and injured more than 60 people. This accident happened due to administrative lapse and chaos.Eyewitness testimony:After the accident, many eyewitnesses described the situation. According to Vivek Dubey and Rahul Mishra, at 12 o'clock in the night, it was announced that the time for Amrit Snan had come. Lakhs of devotees were resting outside the Sangam gate, but the police woke them up and motivated them to take a bath.Rahul Mishra told that the police started waking up people by blowing the hooter and started sending them for bathing. Due to this, a large number of devotees started moving towards Sangam Nose. The crowd of people coming for bathing and sleeping there got mixed together, due to which the situation became uncontrollable. The priority of the police was on the bath of the Akharas, due to which the safety of ordinary devotees was not paid attention.Administration's response:The government is investigating the incident, while the opposition has questioned the administration's preparations. Increasing security and tightening the crowd management strategy is being considered for the upcoming baths.Uncertainty remains about Prime Minister Modi's visit, but in the meantime preparations for organizing the Maha Kumbh and the remaining baths are continuing.