The Maha Kumbh Mela’s grandest and most sacred ritual, the Amrit Snan, is set to take place on Basant Panchami, with top officials in Prayagraj working to ensure a flawless execution following Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s "zero error" directive. This directive comes in the wake of the tragic stampede that occurred on January 29 during the Mauni Amavasya snan, which resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people and injuries to over 60 others.
To prevent any disorder and enhance crowd control, the Uttar Pradesh government has deployed two senior IAS officers, Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Chandra Goswami, who played key roles in organizing the successful 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela. They will work alongside Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand, forming a team with significant experience in managing such large-scale events. Additional Director General of Police Bhanu Bhaskar is personally overseeing the crowd control measures to avoid any repeat of the previous mishap.
Strict guidelines have been issued to devotees, urging them not to linger at the ghats after taking their holy dip and to proceed to designated areas for refreshments. Police officers have been directed to ensure that no large gatherings form at the ghats and that movement remains smooth throughout the ritual.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Prayagraj on Saturday to inspect the site of the previous incident and check on the injured at local hospitals. During a review meeting, he reiterated the need for a meticulously managed Amrit Snan, with officials required to ensure that every aspect of crowd management is flawless.
The 'Kumbh Command and Control Centre is playing a crucial role in overseeing the event, monitoring all 25 sectors of the Maha Kumbh, along with 30 Pontoon bridges and key barricaded zones. More than 3,000 CCTV cameras are being used to provide real-time surveillance across both the city and the Mela grounds.
The January 29 tragedy occurred when an overwhelming rush of devotees at the Sangam Nose led to a barrier-breaking, causing a stampede. Authorities have since ramped up security and crowd management efforts to prevent such incidents during the upcoming Amrit Snan.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years, is the largest religious gathering in the world, drawing millions of pilgrims to the Triveni Sangam. The Amrit Snan is believed to hold immense spiritual significance, as devotees believe that taking a dip during this celestial alignment washes away sins and grants them 'moksha' (salvation). Apart from the Amrit Snan, there are three other major bathing dates: Paush Purnima (January 13), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and Mahashivratri (February 26), which will mark the culmination of the sacred event.
