Some of the largest casualties caused by stampedes at religious congregations over the recent years include the deadly stampede that occurred last year on July 2 during a 'satsang' by self-styled godman, Bhole Baba, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, which claimed 121 lives, most of whom were women.

A stampede broke out at the Triveni Sangam in the Maha Kumbh mela on Wednesday as crores of people gathered to celebrate ‘Mauni Amavasya’ and take holy dip.

Millions of Hindus are gathering in a northern Indian city for the Maha Kumbh festival, the world’s largest religious congregation.