Actress and politician Hema Malini joined the Maha Kumbh on Monday evening. She met Junapeethadhishwar Mahamandaleshwar Acharya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, also known as Pujya Prabhushri Ji, at the Prabhu Premi Sangh Kumbh Camp and discussed spirituality. She shared her gratitude after taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya on Wednesday. “I am feeling great. I have never had such an experience before. Today is a very special day, and I am fortunate to take the holy dip,” she said.
“Iss shubh avsar par mujhe yahan snan karne ka mauka mila, yeh mera saubhagya hai. Bahut hi accha laga hai, itne karooron log aaye hue hain, yahan mujhe bhi sthan mila, nahane ka. Dhanyavad.”“It is my good fortune. I feel very happy that, among the millions of people who have gathered here, I too got an opportunity to take a holy dip. Thank you.”“It is my good fortune. I feel very happy that, among the millions of people who have gathered here, I too got an opportunity to take a holy dip. Thank you.”Many social media users suggested that authorities should restrict celebrities and dignitaries from attending the snan until the crowd settled down. The occasion was marred by a stampede-like situation as large crowds of pilgrims gathered. Officials confirmed several casualties after the chaos unfolded on Wednesday during the holy bath on Mauni Amavasya.
The Akharas decided to call off their traditional ‘Amrit Snan’ for Mauni Amavasya in light of the situation, though devotees continued to take dips at Sangam and other ghats in the Mela area. The Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya holds major significance during the Maha Kumbh, drawing around 10 crore pilgrims. This year, a rare celestial event, ‘Triveni Yog’, is taking place after 144 years, making the day even more spiritually significant.
Around 2 am, the sound of sirens from ambulances and police vehicles filled the air, cutting through the chants of mantras and shlokas that echoed across the Kumbh Mela. The injured were transported to the central hospital set up in the Mela area, while many of their relatives, along with senior officials, also gathered there.
