In the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, continuous untoward incidents are coming out in 2025. Lakhs of devotees have arrived for Sangam bath and Kalpavas in this Mahakumbh held after 144 years. But this time there have been many incidents of fire in the fair, due to which there is an atmosphere of fear among the devotees.
On Saturday night, the entire goods were burnt to ashes due to fire in a Kalpwasi tent on Tulsi Marg located in Sector 18. It is being told that this fire was caused by leakage of LPG cylinder. However, the people present there somehow managed to control the fire before the fire brigade arrived.
How did the fire happen? Cylinder leakage became reason
According to media reports, at around 10 pm, when a Kalpwasi was making tea, the gas cylinder got leakage. Due to leakage, the clothes kept in the tents caught fire and on seeing this, the fire spread throughout the tent.
Damage due to fire:
- 77,000 rupees in cash were burnt to ashes
- Everything related to Kalpavas was burnt
- Two tents are completely gutted
- A devotee scorched minor
This fire created chaos in the Ramakrishna Ashram Camp of Sector 18. People nearby immediately reached the spot and started extinguishing the fire.
How was the fire extinguished? Devotees showed courage
After the fire, the devotees present there started rapid rescue operations. It is being told that water was poured from the bucket to extinguish the burning cylinder, which caused the fire to be controlled.
People involved in relief work:
- Devotees of the nearby camp
- Security personnel posted in Mahakumbh
- Fire brigade team
By the time 10 vehicles of the fire brigade reached the spot, the devotees themselves had controlled the fire. But by then all the items kept in the tent were burnt.
Increasing fire incidents in Mahakumbh – Questions raised on security
On Saturday night, an incident of fire in a power center in Sector 17 also came to light. It was controlled in time, but continuous fire incidents have raised questions on the security system of Mahakumbh.
Recent fire incidents in Mahakumbh:
- Cylinder leakage fire in Sector 18
- Fire in power center in Sector 17
- Small fire incidents in many other camps
These incidents are serious warnings for the administration. If strict security measures are not taken in time, then there may be heavy loss of life.
Administration’s response – instructions to increase security
The Mahakumbh administration has directed to further tightened the security arrangements after these incidents. Especially the use of LPG cylinders and monitoring of electricity system will be increased.
Major steps:
Additional fire brigade will be deployed in all sectors of Mahakumbh.
A special team will be formed for checking gas cylinders.
Devotees will be told measures to prevent fire.
Electric wires and equipment will be examined.
What is Kalpavas? Why do millions of people come to Mahakumbh?
Kalpavas is an important tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees come to the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in the month of Magh and perform harsh penance for a month.
Rules of Kalpavas:
- Eat ordinary
- Bathing daily in confluence
- Devastate
- Dole
Millions of people come to Kalpavas during Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. But the increasing incidence of fire has created a crisis on the safety of these devotees.
