In a remarkable turn of events, a man from Prayagraj, who was presumed dead following the Mahakumbh stampede, made an unexpected return to his home on Tuesday—only to find his family and neighbors gathered for the 'tehrvi' ceremony, a ritual typically performed on the thirteenth day after someone's death. Khunti Guru, a resident of Chahchand Gali in Prayagraj’s Zero Road area, had been declared dead after the tragic stampede at the Kumbh Mela on January 29. However, the truth was far less grim: Guru had simply lost track of time while spending several days with sadhus and smoking chillums. Upon his return nearly two weeks later, he was shocked to learn that his family and neighbors had already conducted rituals in his honor, believing him to be dead.
As Guru stepped out of an e-rickshaw, he was met with stunned silence. "What are you all up to?" he asked with a smile, leaving everyone speechless.According to social worker Abhai Awasthi, Guru had left on the evening of January 28, informing others he was going to take a dip at the Sangam during Mauni Amavasya. When the stampede struck the following morning, there was no sign of him, and his neighbors, unable to trace him despite several days of searching, assumed the worst. Unable to locate him, they proceeded with the customary death rituals.
The stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela on January 29 led to the deaths of 30 people and injured 60 others. The tragic incident occurred due to an overwhelming crowd on Mauni Amavasya, with large groups of people moving toward the Sangam Nose simultaneously. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath later acknowledged that the administration had been overwhelmed by the huge crowds attending the Mela. For Khunti Guru, the confusion marked a surreal and bewildering moment as he returned home to find himself caught in the unfortunate mix-up between a spiritual gathering and a devastating disaster.