News for 'Kumbh Mela'

Ardh Kumbh begins

Ardh Kumbh begins

Rediff.com3 Jan 2007

Security was tight at the mela ground as policemen kept a close watch from towers and through CCTVs.

Sadhvi Pragya breaks fast after being allowed to visit Kumbh

Sadhvi Pragya breaks fast after being allowed to visit Kumbh

Rediff.com18 May 2016

She wanted to take a dip in the Shipra river in Ujjain and had secured an order from a court in Dewas district.

Govt didn't organise RCB felicitation: Siddaramaiah

Govt didn't organise RCB felicitation: Siddaramaiah

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

Reiterating that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team felicitation event in front of Vidhana Soudha on June 4 was not organised by the state government, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday clarified that he 'called' Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for the event, which he too was attending.

50 people have been killed in stampedes this year

50 people have been killed in stampedes this year

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

The Royal Challenger's Bengaluru parade in celebration of the team's maiden Indian Premiere League win in 18 years turned into tragedy as at least 11 fans died and several were injured in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

'The Dip Was Phenomenal But...'

'The Dip Was Phenomenal But...'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

Pramod Prasad wishes some things could have been different.

Sangam water unfit for bathing, contains faecal bacteria: Govt data

Sangam water unfit for bathing, contains faecal bacteria: Govt data

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

The Ganga water at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where lakhs of people are taking a holy dip every day during the ongoing Maha Kumbh, is currently unsafe for bathing as it exceeds the prescribed limit for biological oxygen demand (BOD), a key parameter to determine water quality, according to government data.

'Amrit Snan' concludes at Kumbh hours after stampede

'Amrit Snan' concludes at Kumbh hours after stampede

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The 'Amrit Snan' by saints and seers of all 13 akharas on Mauni Amavasya, which was deferred after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh, concluded at the Sangam on Wednesday evening, officials said.

'Mrityu Kumbh' remark: Shankaracharya backs Mamata

'Mrityu Kumbh' remark: Shankaracharya backs Mamata

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Among heavy criticism of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on Prayagraj's Mahakumbh, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj on Wednesday supported the CM, saying that the religious event has been mismanaged.

Ancient temples 'converted' into mosques be vacated, demands Akhara chief

Ancient temples 'converted' into mosques be vacated, demands Akhara chief

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Mahant Ravindra Puri, has demanded the evacuation of mosques built on ancient temples across India. Puri, who is also the president of the Mansa Devi Temple Trust in Haridwar, claims that around 80% of mosques in India are built on temples and that their domes resemble those of temples. He has appealed to Muslims to hand over such structures to Hindus and has called for the formation of a "Sanatan Board" to protect Hindu religious institutions. Puri also denied banning Muslims from attending the Maha Kumbh Mela, saying that they are welcome to visit and learn about Hinduism.

Political tamasha at the Maha Kumbh

Political tamasha at the Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com7 Feb 2013

Sharat Pradhan reports on how the Maha Kumbh at Allahabad is fast turning into a political playground

'Saw at least 10-12 bodies lying on platform'

'Saw at least 10-12 bodies lying on platform'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

'Initially, some staircases of platforms were closed to manage the crowd. However, due to delays, more passengers were attempting to take the staircases. At the last moment, the closed staircases were opened, which caused congestion and the crowd swelled'

Entire Prayagraj to become 'no vehicle zone' for Purnima snan

Entire Prayagraj to become 'no vehicle zone' for Purnima snan

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Elaborate arrangements including a special traffic plan have been chalked out for Maghi Purnima on Wednesday and health personnel have been put on alert for the occasion when the month-long 'kalpavas', an integral tradition of the Maha Kumbh, comes to an end.

Kaalidhar Laapata Review: Worth A Watch

Kaalidhar Laapata Review: Worth A Watch

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Watch Kaalidhar Laapata because clean family-viewing films are getting scarcer by the week, recommends Deepa Gahlot.

SHOCKING PHOTOS: The FILTHY Maha Kumbh 'after party'

SHOCKING PHOTOS: The FILTHY Maha Kumbh 'after party'

Rediff.com26 Apr 2013

On the eve of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's lecture on the so-called success of the Maha Kumbh Mela to a gathering at Harvard, Avikal Somvanshi visits the Sangam at Allahabad to photograph the disturbing aftermath of the mela. Along with Bharat Lal Seth, he suggests a presentation for the CM.

Roads not for namaz, learn discipline from Hindus: Yogi

Roads not for namaz, learn discipline from Hindus: Yogi

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

Yogi said Waqf boards have become a den of selfish interests as well as loot khasot (property grabbing), and have done little for the welfare of Muslims.

Kumbh 2021 for 30 days, to begin on April 1

Kumbh 2021 for 30 days, to begin on April 1

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

The Maha Kumbh is celebrated in a cycle of 12 years at four river-bank pilgrimage sites across India. The fair will conclude in the last week of April.

Fire at Maha Kumbh; 19 injured, 2 pandals gutted

Fire at Maha Kumbh; 19 injured, 2 pandals gutted

Rediff.com25 Jan 2013

A fire broke out at the Maha Kumbh congregation in Allahabad on Friday, injuring at least 19 people, some of them seriously, and gutting a couple of pandals, officials said.

Airlines tap Kumbh demand

Airlines tap Kumbh demand

Rediff.com13 Feb 2013

The Kumbh Mela is expected to draw close to 100 million visitors in all, including pilgrims, politicians, celebrities and corporate leaders, from around the world.

Was Modi Right About The Opposition?

Was Modi Right About The Opposition?

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

'While suppression of information is acceptable for the government, the Opposition's efforts at pinning the government and its leaders is labeled anti-national,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Now, BJP's Bidhuri compares Atishi with a doe

Now, BJP's Bidhuri compares Atishi with a doe

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

Bharatiya Janarta Party candidate Ramesh Bidhuri on Wednesday again targeted Delhi chief minister and his rival from Kalkaji seat Atishi, saying she was running around like a 'hirni' (doe) in the streets of the constituency ahead of assembly polls after doing little for the people for years.

Kumbh should now only be symbolic amid COVID crisis: PM

Kumbh should now only be symbolic amid COVID crisis: PM

Rediff.com17 Apr 2021

Avdheshanand urged people to not come to the Kumbh mela for bathing in large numbers due to the COVID-19 situation and to follow the rules.

Religion meets business at Kumbh

Religion meets business at Kumbh

Rediff.com17 Jan 2013

Consumer companies see Rs 1,500-crore sales opportunity.

'BJP Never Takes Any Election Lightly'

'BJP Never Takes Any Election Lightly'

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

'They contest to ensure they win the election.'

Meet the boatman who made Rs 30 crore during Kumbh

Meet the boatman who made Rs 30 crore during Kumbh

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Inspired by the earnings of boat operators during the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, a boatman's family in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj took a bold entrepreneurial step during the recently concluded Mahakumbh Mela 2025, generating a staggering profit of Rs 30 crore.

PHOTOS: Band, baaja and bath @ Kumbh

PHOTOS: Band, baaja and bath @ Kumbh

Rediff.com18 Sep 2015

The last auspicious day of the ongoing Kumbh Mela was full of action

Fire at 'Simhastha' Kumbh, no casualties

Fire at 'Simhastha' Kumbh, no casualties

Rediff.com7 Apr 2004

The blaze began in the Goredau Ashram set up by Mahant Avadhbihari Das in the Ankpaat area off Mangalnath Road in Ujjain.

Allahabad-Varanasi Ganga waterway to start by 2019 Kumbh: Gadkari

Allahabad-Varanasi Ganga waterway to start by 2019 Kumbh: Gadkari

Rediff.com12 Jun 2017

The project worth about Rs 5,000 crore is underway with assistance from the World Bank.

Army averts disaster at Maha Kumbh, plugs Ganga breach

Army averts disaster at Maha Kumbh, plugs Ganga breach

Rediff.com20 Feb 2013

A breach in an embankment along the Ganga caused by recent heavy rainfall which threatened to inundate a large area and affect Maha Kumbh pilgrims in Allahabad, has been plugged by a 60-member team of Army's Red Eagle Division who worked through the night averting a disaster.

Rains ruin Kumbh preparations

Rains ruin Kumbh preparations

Rediff.com28 Jul 2003

"All low-lying areas are flooded...many tents in 'Sadhugram' here and at Trimbakeshwar are submerged now," officials said.

Millions converge as Maha Kumbh begins

Millions converge as Maha Kumbh begins

Rediff.com14 Jan 2013

Rediff.com takes a look at the grand preparations ahead of the mega festival, just 16 days away, as pilgrims and god-men have already started congregating at the holy site.

Watching YOU: AI Surveillance At Railway Stations

Watching YOU: AI Surveillance At Railway Stations

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

Railways ramps up project to instal AI-based cameras that can recognise faces.

UP Gets 20% Of Domestic Tourists

UP Gets 20% Of Domestic Tourists

Rediff.com28 Aug 2023

With the surge in tourist footfalls to Varanasi in 2022, it almost rivals the arrivals in Agra and puts it way ahead of Prayagraj and Ayodhya.

Mamta Kulkarni Gets Into Trouble Again

Mamta Kulkarni Gets Into Trouble Again

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhada, has expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from the Akhada.

PIL seeks judicial probe into Kumbh stampede

PIL seeks judicial probe into Kumbh stampede

Rediff.com12 Feb 2013

A public interest litigation was moved before the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court Tuesday, seeking a high-level judicial probe into Sunday's stampede at the Kumbh Mela that left 36 dead and 39 injured.

Devotees take holy dip at Maha Kumbh on 'Magh Purnima'

Devotees take holy dip at Maha Kumbh on 'Magh Purnima'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2013

During this day, elated Hindu monks and pilgrims take holy dip in Ganges to wash away their sins and make offerings to the gods.

70 lakh pilgrims take dip at Kumbh's last 'shahi snan'

70 lakh pilgrims take dip at Kumbh's last 'shahi snan'

Rediff.com16 Feb 2013

Over 70 lakh people took dip at the holy 'Sangam' on the last of the 'Shahi Snan' during the on-going Kumbh mela in Allahabad on Friday.

As pure 'as alkaline water': UP quotes scientist on Sangam water

As pure 'as alkaline water': UP quotes scientist on Sangam water

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government, citing a scientist, has asserted that Ganga water at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is as pure as "alkaline water", debunking concerns raised by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) about water quality. The government claims that a scientist found no bacterial growth or decline in the water's pH level, despite millions of devotees bathing in the river. However, experts caution that the quality of the Ganga water is not static and can vary greatly depending on various factors.

'Can never go to heaven': Kharge taunts Shah for Kumbh dip

'Can never go to heaven': Kharge taunts Shah for Kumbh dip

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

The BJP keeps taking dips till it appears good on the camera, he said.

A look at India's deadly stampedes in recent past

A look at India's deadly stampedes in recent past

Rediff.com16 Feb 2025

The recent stampede at New Delhi Railway station, which claimed the lives of at least 18 people, highlights a recurring issue in India: deadly stampedes. This tragedy is not an isolated incident, as numerous stampedes resulting in significant casualties have occurred over the years. This article explores some of the most devastating stampedes in India, including the deadly event at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj just a few weeks ago, the 2024 tragedy at a 'satsang' in Hathras, and the 2013 stampede during Navratri festivities in Madhya Pradesh.

Kumbh pilgrims face tough time due to nationwide strike

Kumbh pilgrims face tough time due to nationwide strike

Rediff.com20 Feb 2013

Pilgrims at the ongoing Maha Kumbh mela in Allahabad faced a tough time on Wednesday due to the nationwide strike called by central trade unions which has brought movement of Uttar Pradesh roadways buses to a standstill.