Click Download to save Prayagraj: Millions of religious Hindus threw the North Indian city of Shirdhaj, a day after the death of dozens in a stampede on the most auspicious day of the six -week program, for the Maha Kumbh Festival on Thursday for prayer for Northern Indian city prayer.
But some devotees remained nervous after a deadly crush.
Krishna Soni, a student of Bikner city of western state of Rajasthan, and his family of eight, along with the string, would not lose each other in the crowd.
“We are walking very carefully and trying to escape from crowded areas,” he told Reuters.
Police said 30 people were killed and 60 injured on Wednesday in a crush at the world’s biggest gathering, but sources reported that the toll of the rooters’ death was around 40.
Indian officials have ordered an inquiry into the incident when people moved towards a river to take a dip in their water as part of the festival.
On Wednesday, more than 76 million people said “royal dip” in the river by 8 pm (1430 GMT), and three more “Royal Dips” were determined before the festival ends.
Officials said more than nine million people on Thursday took “holy dip” at the confluence of three holy rivers (0430 GMT) at the confluence.
Devotees take ‘holy dips’ everyday, but practice on specific dates is considered particularly sacred and it is called “royal” dip, which attracts a large crowd.
Devotees believe that taking a dip at the confluence of three holy rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and mythological Saraswati – frees them from sins and bring freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
Officials estimate that The Hindu Festival – is held every 12 years – some 400 million devotees are expected to attract in 2025. Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, compared, attracted 1.8 million people last year.
Across the prayer, railway and bus stations saw an increase in crowds on Thursday as people kept arriving for the festival, but officials said that Rush was being managed and there was no incident.
“Things are now completely under control,” senior police officer Vaibhav Krishna told Reuters.
Opposition leaders have convicted the stampede on mismanagement and urged the government to improve the festival system, while the local media said on Thursday that a better rush plan was required to prevent such incidents.
The Hindustan Times newspaper said in an editorial, “There is a lot of scope for improvement in crowd management in Kumbh.”
Authorities built a temporary city on the banks of the river on 4,000 hectares (9,990 acres) – the size of 7,500 football areas – with 150,000 tents to accommodate the devotees and almost the same number of toilets. More than 50,000 personnel are on guards to ensure the safety of visitors.
