The Basant Panchami holy bathing ritual assumes significance in the wake of the stampede during the previous Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya (Jan 29) which resulted in at least 30 deaths and left 60 others injured.

Many were feared dead after millions of Hindu pilgrims at a huge Hindu festival in India rushed to bathe in holy river waters.

The Maha Kumbh Mela conducted its first 'Amrit Snan' since the unfortunate stampede, drawing vast numbers of devotees seeking spiritual redemption. On Basant Panchami, ceremonial bathing commenced at dawn,