Swami Avimukteshwaranand Skips Mauni Amavasya Holy Dip After Clash With Officials at Prayagraj Magh Mela

Prayagraj: A major dispute broke out on Sunday at the Magh Mela during the most sacred bathing day of Mauni Amavasya. Swami Avimukteshwaranand Shankaracharya, a well-known spiritual leader attending the mela, walked away from the ritual without taking the holy dip. 

The decision shocked many devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam, where millions had assembled to bathe in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers. 

What happened at the Sangam during Mauni Amavasya?

Swami Avimukteshwaranand had begun moving from his akhara (ascetic camp) towards the Sangam nose in a palanquin when an altercation occurred between his disciples and officials, including Uttar Pradesh’s Home Secretary Mohit Gupta, according to reports. 

The clash, which involved pushing and shoving, intensified rapidly. Swami Avimukteshwaranand then decided not to proceed with the ritual and returned to the akhara. 

Why did the Swami refuse to bathe?

The seer later told reporters that his disciples were being manhandled and that officers had even threatened them, prompting his refusal to participate in the holy bath. 

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show tensions between the group and authorities, although police maintained that crowd control efforts were underway and that congested conditions made movement towards the main bathing point unsafe.

The incident quickly became the focus of debate among pilgrims and priests at the mela. Some supported Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s decision as an act of protest, while others expressed concern about the disruption to a deeply spiritual occasion.

What was the scene like at the Magh Mela?

Despite the controversy, scores of devotees continued to take the sacred dip at different ghats across the three-kilometre stretch set up by the Magh Mela administration. 

Authorities had anticipated a massive turnout, with officials estimating up to 3.5-4 crore pilgrims arriving during the Mauni Amavasya period. 

Security and crowd-management measures were significantly ramped up, including deployment of thousands of police personnel and rapid action forces, along with CCTV and drone surveillance. 

The holy bathing ritual is a cornerstone of the annual Magh Mela, drawing devotees from all over India who believe the dip cleanses sins and brings spiritual merit. Millions had already attended earlier days of the festival, reinforcing the scale and significance of the event. 

How are officials responding?

Local administration officials maintained that safety remained their top priority. They said the police intervened to prevent overcrowding and maintain order at the crowded Sangam nose area, where access was being controlled. Authorities also urged pilgrims to use designated entry points and ghats to avoid congestion and potential hazards.