The late release of casualty figures at the gathering of millions of people was seen as shielding the political fortunes of a local leader with national aspirations.

Between 90 to 100 million pilgrims had congregated to take ritual baths in sacred rivers at a festival in northern India.

As of January 30, 2025, the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj has witnessed a record number of 29.64 million devotees taking the sacred dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the Saraswati rivers.

People were trampled as pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s biggest gatherings, gathered where the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers meet.

Millions continued to throng the site even as police urged them to avoid the area. Deadly stampedes are relatively common around Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas.

After atleast 15 people reportedly died in a stampede at Mahakumbh 2025 mela early Wednesday, UP CM Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to not go to Sangam ghat.

Hours after a massive rush of Hindu pilgrims set off a stampede at the event in northern India early on Wednesday, Indian authorities were yet to release casualty figures – even as the Prime Minister acknowledged the loss of lives and local media reports said 10 people had died.

At least 15 feared dead in stampede during huge Hindu festival in India - Crush happened as pilgrims tried to jump over police barricades to reach Sangam Nose, the point where India's Ganges river mee

This isn’t the first time CM Adityanath has led his cabinet to the Sangam. During the Kumbh Mela in 2019, he took a ceremonial dip along with his ministers and other saints.

Will UP CM Yogi Adityanath Get Political Dividends As He Blends Religion, Development, Politics By Holding Cabinet Meet At Kumbh?

During his first election rally in Delhi's Kirari, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a scathing attack on Arvind Kejriwal over the Yamuna's pollution. Questioning the AAP government's negligence,

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, participated in sacred rituals at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The leaders took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam and engaged in traditional puja,