Overview
- Officials reported more than 4.52 crore devotees took the Mauni Amavasya holy dip at Prayagraj’s Sangam after arrivals began around midnight in dense fog.
- Police said Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand attempted to reach the ghat with 200–250 followers without permission and broke a barricade at Bridge Number 2.
- The seer returned without bathing and later sat on a dharna, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav shared video of the incident and sought a probe, alleging tradition was disrupted.
- Authorities cited a ban on VIP bathing, described conditions as overcrowded, and said the incident is under investigation for barricade breach and disorder.
- Officials highlighted large-scale arrangements including a 12,100-foot ghat, over 10,000 police, more than 25,000 toilets, 3,500 sanitation workers, reflective guides and expanded parking, with flower petals showered from a helicopter on the chief minister’s directions; earlier bathing days drew 1.03 crore and nearly 85 lakh.