New Delhi: A 118-member foreign delegation, including Heads of Mission (HoMs), their spouses, and diplomats from 77 countries, arrived at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 on Saturday and took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. The visit was confirmed earlier by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, who had announced that diplomats would be visiting the Kumbh on February 1.
“Yes, diplomats will be visiting Kumbh tomorrow,” Jaiswal stated during a press briefing on Friday.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP: A 118-member delegation, including Heads of Mission (HoM), spouses of HoMs, and diplomats from 77 countries, who arrived at the #MahaKumbhMela2025, take holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. pic.twitter.com/fidTYs44bS
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025
VP Dhankhar takes holy dip at Sangam
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar also offered prayers at the Maha Kumbh on Saturday after taking a holy dip at the Sangam. Priests chanted hymns as Dhankhar proceeded towards the sacred site. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the Vice-President upon his arrival in Prayagraj. On Friday, Circle Officer Pratima Singh had confirmed the visit of Dhankhar and Adityanath to Mahakumbh Nagar but refrained from disclosing the Vice-President’s detailed itinerary.
CM Yogi also conducted an aerial survey of roads leading to Prayagraj ahead of the “Amrit Snan” on February 3 on the occasion of Basant Panchami.
Meanwhile, a three-member judicial commission, formed to investigate the tragic stampede that occurred during the “Amrit Snan” on Mauni Amavasya early Wednesday, visited Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj on Friday. Over 40 people lost their lives in the stampede, the incident also left 60 others injured.
Judicial commission at Mela to probe stampede
The commission, comprising former judge Harsh Kumar and other senior officials, has been tasked with examining the causes and circumstances leading to the stampede. According to the official notification, the commission will also provide recommendations to prevent such tragedies in the future. The investigation report is expected to be submitted within a month.
“The incident took place due to the pressure of the crowd. The crowd broke barricades and jumped to the other side, crushing those waiting there. Over 90 injured were rushed to the hospital, of whom 30 died,” PTI quoted DIG Vaibhav Krishna as saying.
Despite the tragic incident, the Maha Kumbh Mela continues to draw devotees. According to the Uttar Pradesh Information Department, over 29 crore devotees have taken holy dip at Sangam.
