Explained: The History of Stampedes at Maha Kumbh Mela

Karan Dinesh Singh Rawat Deepshikha Singh Savneer Bal Prayagraj(ABC Live): The stampede occurred on 29/10/2025 during ongoing Maha Kumbh in holy city of Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh has become talk of nation majorly rule by religious sentiments.

ABC Research team conducted research on history of stampede during Maha/Kumbh Melas on the basis of available documents as reported as under;

The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, has witnessed several tragic stampedes over the years. Due to the sheer volume of pilgrims—often numbering in the millions—crowd control has always been a significant challenge. Here is a historical overview of major stampedes that have occurred at the event:

1. 1820 Haridwar Stampede

One of the earliest recorded stampedes took place at Haridwar in 1820, resulting in 485 deaths. Following this disaster, the British colonial authorities implemented infrastructure improvements, including new ghats and wider roads, to manage the crowds more effectively.

2. 1954 Prayagraj (Allahabad) Stampede

The most devastating stampede in the history of Kumbh Mela occurred in 1954 at Prayagraj, where an estimated 500–800 people lost their lives. The stampede was triggered by overcrowding on a narrow bridge near the bathing ghats, compounded by the presence of VIPs, including political leaders, which led to restrictions and panic among the devotees. This tragedy prompted significant reforms in crowd management and security planning for future events.

3. 1986 Haridwar Stampede

During the Haridwar Kumbh Mela in 1986, a stampede led to the deaths of 50 people. This incident highlighted ongoing challenges with crowd control despite previous efforts to improve safety measures.

4. 2003 Nashik Stampede

In 2003, at Nashik's Trimbakeshwar temple, more than 39 people died and 125 were injured during the Mela. The cause was a sudden surge of devotees attempting to enter the temple for darshan (worship), leading to a chaotic and uncontrolled rush.

5. 2010 Haridwar Stampede

A stampede at the 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar claimed the lives of seven people. Although relatively smaller in scale, this incident reinforced concerns about safety and the need for better crowd regulation strategies.

6. 2013 Prayagraj (Allahabad) Stampede

One of the deadliest modern-day stampedes took place in 2013 at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, where 36 people lost their lives, mostly women and children. The chaos broke out at the Allahabad Railway Station, as thousands of pilgrims attempted to leave the city after their holy dip. Poor communication, lack of crowd management, and structural collapses contributed to the tragedy.

7. 2021 Haridwar Kumbh Mela and COVID-19 Crisis

Although not a traditional stampede, the Haridwar Kumbh Mela in 2021 was labeled a super-spreader event during the COVID-19 pandemic. With millions of people gathering without proper health protocols, the event led to a dramatic spike in infections across India, resulting in significant loss of life.

8. 2025 Prayagraj Stampede

The most recent tragedy occurred in January 2025, during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where a stampede led to at least 30 deaths and over 60 injuries. The incident took place near the bathing ghats during Amrit Snan, a sacred bathing ritual. The sudden influx of devotees caused uncontrollable crowd movement, leading to a deadly crush. The authorities responded by temporarily suspending Amrit Snan and launching a judicial inquiry led by Justice Harsh Kumar to investigate the causes and prevent future incidents.

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