100 million devotees take holy dip Maha Kumbh concludes
11 March 2013 6:44 AM IST
Around seven million pilgrims took a dip in Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on the last day of the 55-day-long Maha Kumbh mela.
The mela authorities were expecting over five million pilgrims on Sunday but seven million people took a dip till evening, Allahabad Divisional Commissioner Devesh Chaturvedi said.
‘Around 100 million pilgrims have taken dip in Sangam during the entire Maha Kumbh mela which included six main bathing days,’ he claimed.
Entry of four-wheelers were banned in the mela area from Saturday while security forces have taken their position even as the influx of the devotees have started pouring in the 58 square kilometer mela area.
Chaturvedi said due to scorching heat at least four pilgrims complained about sun stroke and were admitted in the hospital.
‘The last bathing passed off peacefully even as all precautionary measures were also taken this time too like other main bathing days,’ he said and disclosed that 100 commandos have been deployed in the mela area to prevent any untoward incident.
There were no ‘Akharas’ or ‘Kalpawasis’ in this last bathing but still, pilgrims from far-flung areas to took a dip in the Sangam on the last bathing day of this Maha Kumbh.
Tragedy struck this Maha Kumbh on the main bathing day of Mauni Amavasya when 39 pilgrims were crushed to death during a stampede at Allahabad railway station on 10 February.
TWO KILLED IN BARABANKI’S SHIV TEMPLE STAMPEDE
Two devotees were killed and 10 others injured during a stampede at Lodheshwar Shiv temple in Ramnagar area of Barabanki, 35 kms from Lucknow, on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday.
The incident occurred when the barricade, at the temple to control the crowd, collapsed following heavy rush. The devotees broke through the queue to offer water at Lodeshwar Mahadev temple. This led to a stampede that left two persons dead, a police official said.
Superintendent of police Sayeed Wasim Ahmed said devotees started to throng the temple from 3 am and due to huge crowd, the barricading broke down leading to stampede.
The injured have been admitted to hospital.
The SP said situation was brought under control and Jal Abhishek continued peacefully in the temple.
BJP has blamed the district authorities for the stampede and has demanded action against the officials responsible for maintaining law and order there.
BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak, in a statement, said when the authorities were expecting huge rush why adequate arrangements were not made. He also demanded free medical treatment of the injured and compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the deceased Shiv devotees.
The mela authorities were expecting over five million pilgrims on Sunday but seven million people took a dip till evening, Allahabad Divisional Commissioner Devesh Chaturvedi said.
‘Around 100 million pilgrims have taken dip in Sangam during the entire Maha Kumbh mela which included six main bathing days,’ he claimed.
Entry of four-wheelers were banned in the mela area from Saturday while security forces have taken their position even as the influx of the devotees have started pouring in the 58 square kilometer mela area.
Chaturvedi said due to scorching heat at least four pilgrims complained about sun stroke and were admitted in the hospital.
‘The last bathing passed off peacefully even as all precautionary measures were also taken this time too like other main bathing days,’ he said and disclosed that 100 commandos have been deployed in the mela area to prevent any untoward incident.
There were no ‘Akharas’ or ‘Kalpawasis’ in this last bathing but still, pilgrims from far-flung areas to took a dip in the Sangam on the last bathing day of this Maha Kumbh.
Tragedy struck this Maha Kumbh on the main bathing day of Mauni Amavasya when 39 pilgrims were crushed to death during a stampede at Allahabad railway station on 10 February.
TWO KILLED IN BARABANKI’S SHIV TEMPLE STAMPEDE
Two devotees were killed and 10 others injured during a stampede at Lodheshwar Shiv temple in Ramnagar area of Barabanki, 35 kms from Lucknow, on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday.
The incident occurred when the barricade, at the temple to control the crowd, collapsed following heavy rush. The devotees broke through the queue to offer water at Lodeshwar Mahadev temple. This led to a stampede that left two persons dead, a police official said.
Superintendent of police Sayeed Wasim Ahmed said devotees started to throng the temple from 3 am and due to huge crowd, the barricading broke down leading to stampede.
The injured have been admitted to hospital.
The SP said situation was brought under control and Jal Abhishek continued peacefully in the temple.
BJP has blamed the district authorities for the stampede and has demanded action against the officials responsible for maintaining law and order there.
BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak, in a statement, said when the authorities were expecting huge rush why adequate arrangements were not made. He also demanded free medical treatment of the injured and compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the deceased Shiv devotees.
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