New Delhi: The ‘Mauni’ in the Amavasya being observed by Hindus today gets its derivative name from ‘silence’. On this day, devotees observe silence or ‘maun’ to enhance their spiritual experience while they seek inner peace and self-reflection. In the Hindu way of life, it is believed that this ‘silence’ connects more deeply with the divine.

We are ‘silenced’ today but the reason is profound grief over everything else.

The tragic happenings that unfolded during the wee hours of Wednesday at the Maha Kumbh mela, resulted in the death of 20 devotees and severely injured many others, has truly left us speechless and numb. The Amavasya, or new moon, symbolises new beginnings, introspection, and spiritual cleansing — but it also serves as a reminder that despite our best efforts, the design of the divine remains supreme — far beyond comprehension or prediction. The mishap at Triveni Sangam is but a poignant reflection of this.

Eyewitness accounts confirm our worst fears. Most of them suggested that the crowd had very little idea of how to perform the ritual, did not know where to go after taking the holy dip at the Ghats, and most of them had come under-prepared with logistics. “These people were carrying heavy luggage on their heads,” is what some people have reported. Their luggage was lying strewn on the ground which may have also caused mayhem.

There was a massive crowd anticipated today at the Ghats owing to the nature of the day and........

© News9Live