Kumbh fairs are held at Allahabad and Haridwar after every twelve years. Great preparations were made by the government for the comforts of pilgrims. Special trains ran from all directions of Haridwar full of passengers. To check the spread of cholera all the passengers were inoculated against cholera before entering the fair ground. New bridges were constructed over the Ganga for traffic. Sheds were built to give shelter to the people. Yet the rush was great. The trains were fully packed. One could see heads and heads everywhere.
The Makar Sakranti was the day for bath. Special arrangements were made for the reception of the Chief Minister. The work of bathing started at 12 o’clock in the mid-night. The rush became uncontrollable. The load of the crowd became too heavy for the bridge to bear. Lo! the bridge gave away. The swift current carried away the devotees of Ganga. None could give correct figure of the dead persons. There was a great consternation among people. There was stampede. The police stopped people from taking bath. Thousands had died. Their dead bodies were missing. Thousands of pilgrims had to return without taking bath in the holy water of the Ganga.
The holy place of Haridwar presented a horrible scene. Some were still breathing. They were saved by volunteers and sent to the hospitals. The police neglected its duty due to the reception of the Chief Minister of U. P. All blamed the Chief Minister for paying his visit to fair at the time when the police had the busy time.
The news of this great tragedy spread throughout the country. Anxious telegrams were sent to Haridwar but there was none to receive them.
Vocabulary
Inoculated—injected
Pilgrims—persons who visit religious places
