By Anto Akkara
Bangalore, India, Feb 3, 2025 / 13:20 pm
The recent tragic incident at the Kumbhmela in Prayagraj has left many in mourning. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has offered their heartfelt condolences to the families of the 30 Hindu pilgrims who lost their lives in a stampede, with over 60 others injured.
The Kumbhmela, a sacred Hindu festival that occurs every 12 years, draws millions of devotees to Prayagraj for prayers and a holy dip in the rivers Ganges and Yamuna. This year’s festival, expected to attract 400 million Hindus, has been marred by this unfortunate event.
Cardinal Filipe Neri, President of CCBI, expressed his sorrow at the tragedy during the bishops’ assembly, where 204 prelates from 132 dioceses in India have gathered.
“As we mourn the loss of lives, we stand together in prayer for the departed souls and their families. May God provide strength to those grieving, healing to the injured, and eternal peace to the deceased,” Neri said.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred at the Kumbhmela. Past incidents in 1954 and 2013 have also claimed many lives.
