KKN Gurugram Desk | The third grand ‘Amrit Snan’ of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, held on the occasion of Basant Panchami, unfolded under strict safety protocols, just days after a tragic stampede during the previous bathing day claimed at least 30 lives and left 60 others injured. The incident, which took place during the ‘Mauni Amavasya’ on January 14, cast a shadow on the religious festivities, but this year, the authorities took extra precautions to ensure a safe and organized bathing ritual.

The Significance of Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami holds immense spiritual significance in the Hindu calendar, and during the Maha Kumbh Mela, it is one of the most important days for pilgrims to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river at Prayagraj’s Sangam. This year, the ritual witnessed Naga Sadhus and devotees performing the ‘Amrit Snan’ in an organized and secure manner, following a pre-planned schedule to avoid chaos and ensure that everyone can partake in the holy bathing.

The third ‘Amrit Snan’ was held in the early hours of Monday, February 3, 2025. In the wake of the devastating stampede, the authorities, along with the akharas (religious sects), came together to formulate a detailed schedule for the bathing process, coordinating with senior sadhus to ensure a smooth and orderly event.

Tightened Security and Crowd Management Measures

In response to the tragic incident on Mauni Amavasya, where 30 lives were lost, the Uttar Pradesh government has significantly ramped up security and crowd control measures for this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally inspected the preparations to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the ‘Amrit Snan’ on Basant Panchami.

The administration has deployed additional police personnel, medical teams, and resources at key points, especially near the Sangam, which remains the focal point of the entire event. As per the guidelines set by the Kumbh Mela authorities, the different akharas were allotted specific time windows for their holy dips. This was done to prevent overcrowding and allow for smooth movement of the devotees.

Schedule of the Third Amrit Snan

The ‘Amrit Snan’ of Maha Kumbh 2025 began promptly at 4 am, with the first procession of Naga Sadhus from the Sanyasi sect heading towards the holy waters. This ritual was performed in a well-organized manner, with each akhara being allotted a 40-minute window to complete its sacred dip. The first procession completed their ritual and returned to their respective camps by 8:30 am.

The schedule was meticulously planned, with the akharas starting early in the morning. For instance, the Mahanirvani and Atal Akharas set off from their camps at 4 am and were expected to complete their rituals by 5:40 am, ensuring that there was no overlap with the other akharas or crowds of general devotees. This planning was in stark contrast to the previous ‘Shahi Snan’ on Makar Sankranti when the akharas had set off at 5:15 am.

As part of the schedule, common devotees were allowed to take a dip at the Sangam after the akharas had completed their rituals, thus ensuring an orderly flow of the devotees and preventing overcrowding at the bathing ghats.

Devotees Flock to Sangam

By 4 am on Basant Panchami, nearly 16.58 lakh devotees had already bathed at the Sangam ghats, with the total number of pilgrims who had taken the holy dip since the start of the Kumbh Mela reaching an impressive 34.97 crore. This includes around 10 lakh Kalpvasis (pilgrims who stay at the Kumbh Mela for the entire duration) and 6.58 lakh other pilgrims who arrived for the auspicious occasion.

As per the estimates, over 33 crore devotees had participated in the religious rituals up until that point, and it was expected that nearly 5 crore people would attend the Amrit Snan ceremony on Basant Panchami alone. The entire event has become a massive congregation of faith, culture, and tradition, attracting devotees from all corners of the world.

Akharas’ Sacred Processions

The key to ensuring a smooth and orderly procession was the careful coordination between the different akharas, which are divided into three main sects: Sanyasi, Bairagi, and Udaseen. The akharas followed a predetermined order in taking their dip. The first to bathe were the akharas of the Sanyasi sect, including prominent groups like the Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara, and Sri Taponidhi Panchayati Sri Niranjani Akhara.

These processions, led by the Mahamandaleshwars (chiefs of the akharas), reached the bathing ghats with full ceremonial pomp. The Sanyasi akharas completed their Amrit Snan by 8:30 am, and the next group in line, the Bairagi sect, began their rituals at 8:25 am. The Bairagi sect’s sacred dip continued until 12:35 pm.

The final group to bathe was the Udaseen sect, which includes the Shri Panchayati Naya Udaseen Akhara and Shri Panchayati Akhara Bada Udaseen Nirvana. Their processions started at 11 am and ended at 3:55 pm.

The Tragic Stampede and Lessons Learned

The ‘Amrit Snan’ on Basant Panchami was especially poignant, given the tragic stampede during the previous major bathing day, ‘Mauni Amavasya’. While the event was marked by a sense of solemnity, the authorities were determined to avoid a repeat of the horrific incident. The government of Uttar Pradesh, along with the Kumbh Mela administration, has taken extensive measures to manage crowds and ensure the safety of every pilgrim.

The stampede, which occurred at the Sangam Nose, a spot considered to hold great spiritual significance, led to the deaths of over 30 people. The state government, in collaboration with religious leaders, has emphasized that every ghat in the region holds equal importance, and there should be no rush to reach the Sangam Nose. This message has been communicated to devotees, urging them to prioritize safety over tradition.

As the third ‘Amrit Snan’ of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 unfolded on Basant Panchami, the event showcased a well-coordinated effort to ensure that pilgrims could partake in the sacred ritual without any safety concerns. With heightened security, improved crowd management strategies, and a strict schedule, the Uttar Pradesh government aimed to make this one of the most successful and mishap-free Kumbh Mela events in recent history.

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