Today, on January 29, during the second royal bath (Shahi Snan) of the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, chaos broke out around 1 AM at Sangam. The stampede left over a dozen people dead and many injured. The scene was heart-wrenching, with clothes, bags, shoes, and other belongings scattered at the site. Hospitals were overwhelmed with injured people and bodies lying on the floors. This tragic incident reminds us of the deadly stampede that occurred 71 years ago during the Mahakumbh in 1954, which claimed the lives of over 800 people.
The First Mahakumbh of Independent India
In 1954, the first Mahakumbh after India’s independence was held in Allahabad, now called Prayagraj. On February 3, 1954, during the Mauni Amavasya Shahi Snan, millions gathered at the Sangam. Even Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was present that day. It is said that the crowd rushed to see him, leading to the stampede. However, newspaper reports from that time suggest a different story.
Naga Sadhus and the Crowd Panic
On that fateful day, a large number of people stood along the Ganga to watch the procession of Naga Sadhus. As the crowd kept growing, there was no space for people to move. When pushing and shoving began, people tried to cross through the Naga Sadhus’ procession. Reports say the Sadhus pointed their tridents toward the crowd, creating panic. Some people were crushed, while others fell into the river and drowned.
Nehru’s Presence and the Crowd Chaos
Another version suggests that around 10 AM, former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President Rajendra Prasad’s car passed through Triveni Road. When people heard about their presence, they broke through barricades to catch a glimpse of Nehru. At the same time, the Naga Sadhus’ procession was passing by. The crowd grew uncontrollable, and people found no way out, leading to chaos and a deadly stampede.
Death Toll and Injuries
Reports claim that between 800 and 1,000 people lost their lives, while over 2,000 were injured. Days later, during the budget session, Prime Minister Nehru expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident.
This unfortunate event remains one of the darkest moments in Mahakumbh’s history.