Ujjain (MP): At least seven people were killed on Thursday when several tents collapsed in strong winds and heavy rain here at Simhastha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest Hindu religious congregations organised in an interval of every 12 years.


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Strong winds and heavy rainfall swept through the Ujjain city in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, as thousands of devotees thronged to take their holy bath on the banks of the famed Kshipra river.


The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of deceased and Rs 50,000 each to critically injured victims, ANI reported.


The month-long Simhastha Kumbh Mela began in Ujjain early on last Friday with the arrival of Juna Akhara for the royal bath on the banks of the river.


People from different parts of the country have converged in the city, which is also the abode of Lord Mahakaleshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlings in the country.


All the 13 Akharas of saints and seers will take dip one after another for which elaborate arrangements were made along the banks of the river.


Over 5 crore people, including seers, are expected to visit the city during the period, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying it will be a “Green Simhastha”.


“Over 5 crore pilgrims are expected to visit Ujjain and other holy places during the fair, for which huge security and logistical arrangements have been made,” Chouhan said.


Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh also took bath at Gaughat on the opening day of the Simhastha.


About 22,000 security personnel, including the state policemen, personnel from central forces and other departments have been deployed.