The sacred festival of Maha Kumbh Mela, celebrated on the auspicious day of Mani Amavasya, turned tragic today as a devastating stampede left dozens dead and hundreds injured. Initial reports suggest the death toll could rise to 30, with countless others still unaccounted for. Families have been torn apart, with many losing loved ones—wives, children—in the chaos. The incident has cast a dark shadow over what is considered the largest human gathering on Earth, with today’s crowd estimated at a staggering 10 crore (100 million) devotees, far exceeding the usual daily 1 crore attendees.

A Gathering of Unprecedented Scale

The Maha Kumbh Mela, a pilgrimage of immense spiritual significance, transforms the banks of the Ganges into a temporary city. However, the sheer scale of this year’s event stretched infrastructure to its limits. While security forces have been praised for maintaining order and creating a sense of communal trust—devotees freely left belongings unattended in crowded dorms—the glaring lack of basic amenities revealed systemic failures.

Infrastructure Woes: From Toilets to Technology

My firsthand account as a writer and attendee highlights disturbing gaps in facilities. Toilets are deplorable: no flushing mechanisms, scarce water supply, and unsanitary conditions where people bathed, washed clothes, washed after toilet under the same taps. “You have to wash your shit down with a single bucket,” which means toilets are always messy. There are paid toilets but they only slightly better.