Juna Akhada, Agni Akhada, and Ahwahan Akhada Postpone Amrit Snan Following Stampede at Sangam

Saints Mourn the Tragic Deaths, Announce Basant Panchami for Amrit Snan Instead of Mouni Amavasya

Mahakumbh Nagar, January 29 : The unprecedented rush of devotees on Mouni Amavasya led to a tragic stampede at the holy confluence (Sangam), resulting in several deaths. In response to this heart-wrenching incident, three major Akhadas—Juna Akhada, Agni Akhada, and Ahwahan Akhada—have decided to postpone their Amrit Snan (holy bath). The saints and sadhus associated with these Akhadas expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate event and conducted prayers for the departed souls.

A crucial emergency meeting was convened at Agni Akhada under the chairmanship of Shri Mahant Muktanand Brahmachari, where discussions were held with Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhada. The Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad’s General Secretary and International Guardian, Shri Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj, also participated in the discussions.

After consultations with key religious leaders, including:

• Shri Mahant Jamuna Giri Maharaj (Ahwahan Akhada Chief)
• Shri Mahant Bharadwaj Giri Maharaj (Guardian, Ahwahan Akhada)
• Mahant Premgiri Maharaj (International President, Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada)
• Shri Dudheshwar Peethadheeshwar & Shri Mahant Narayan Giri Maharaj (International Spokesperson, Juna Akhada)

It was unanimously decided that the Amrit Snan scheduled for Mouni Amavasya would be postponed, and instead, the Akhadas will now take their Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami.

Akhada Leaders Express Grief and Appeal to Devotees

Shri Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj (Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad General Secretary & International Guardian)

Shri Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj emphasized the deep sorrow felt by all saints over the stampede incident. He stated:

“What happened at Sangam is extremely unfortunate, and the entire saint community stands with the affected families. Considering public welfare, all three Akhadas have decided not to participate in the Amrit Snan on Mouni Amavasya. This tragic incident occurred due to unprecedented crowd pressure. We appeal to all devotees: wherever you are—inside or outside Prayagraj—take your holy dip in the nearest Ganga ghat instead of coming to Sangam. The same spiritual merit (punya) will be attained as bathing at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Prayagraj.”

Shri Mahant Jamuna Giri Maharaj (Ahwahan Akhada Chief)

“Devotees must understand the severity of the situation. The influx of pilgrims has reached an unmanageable level. Instead of coming to Sangam, pilgrims can bathe in the Ganges at any spot within an 80-km radius of Prayagraj. We urge all devotees to prioritize safety and return home after taking a holy dip wherever they are.”

Shri Mahant Narayan Giri Maharaj (International Spokesperson, Juna Akhada)

“The incident at Sangam is heartbreaking. All saints are deeply grieved. This is why we have decided to postpone our Amrit Snan. Now, we will perform our sacred bath on Basant Panchami instead of Mouni Amavasya. This decision has been taken in the best interests of devotees’ safety.”

Saint Community Supports Administration in Crowd Management

Under the leadership of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj (Juna Akhada) and Shri Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj (Akhada Parishad Chief), the saints and sadhus of Juna Akhada, Agni Akhada, and Ahwahan Akhada are fully cooperating with the state government, the Kumbh Mela administration, the Prayagraj administration, and police authorities to restore order at the Mela site.

The Akhada leaders have also urged devotees to maintain discipline and avoid adding to the congestion at Sangam. They have specifically requested:

Devotees should take a holy dip at any Ganga ghat within an 80-km radius instead of crowding Sangam.
Pilgrims should refrain from traveling to the core Mela area to ensure smooth crowd management.
By dispersing across different ghats, they will help maintain safety and order.

In a solemn prayer session, the saints offered peace prayers for the souls of the deceased pilgrims, seeking divine blessings for their journey beyond life.

What Led to the Stampede?

Reports suggest that the stampede was triggered by an overwhelming number of devotees rushing toward Sangam to perform their Amrit Snan at the most auspicious time. The administration had anticipated large crowds but underestimated the sheer volume of pilgrims, which resulted in:

• Excessive congestion in the Sangam area.
• Lack of movement space for pilgrims.
• Sudden surge of people attempting to reach the riverbank at the same time.
• Panic-induced rush leading to the unfortunate stampede.

Despite the best efforts of security forces and organizers, the situation spiraled out of control, leading to tragic loss of lives.

Akhadas Now Set for Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami

With the postponement of their Amrit Snan on Mouni Amavasya, all three Akhadas—Juna, Agni, and Ahwahan—will now perform the sacred bath on Basant Panchami, which is another highly significant occasion in the Kumbh Mela calendar.

This decision aims to prevent further congestion at Sangam, ensuring better crowd control and devotee safety.

The saint community has reiterated that spiritual merit remains the same, regardless of whether devotees bathe at Sangam or any other Ganga ghat.

Final Appeal to Pilgrims

Given the tragic incident, the saints and Kumbh Mela administration have jointly appealed:

Do not rush toward Sangam—perform your holy bath at the nearest Ganga ghat.
Maintain discipline and cooperate with the authorities to ensure a peaceful pilgrimage.
Follow official advisories and avoid overcrowding at any specific location.

With millions of devotees still present in Prayagraj, ensuring safe and systematic movement remains the top priority for both the saint community and the government.

This joint decision by major Akhadas marks a significant step toward preventing further mishaps, reinforcing the need for well-coordinated crowd management efforts in the ongoing Kumbh Mela.

As Basant Panchami approaches, all eyes will be on how the new arrangements unfold, ensuring devotee safety without compromising spiritual traditions.

Juna Akhada, Agni Akhada, and Ahwahan Akhada Postpone Amrit Snan Following Stampede at Sangam