final rites

Four Belagavi residents' bodies return after Kumbh Mela stampede tragedy. Families demand final rites after emotional scenes at Sambra Airport. Megha’s dog stopped eating, sensing the tragedy before it was known. Belagavi: The four bodies of Belagavi residents who tragically lost their lives during the Kumbh Mela stampede at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, have finally arrived in Belagavi, sending waves of grief through their families. The incident took place during the Mouni Amavasya holy dip, leaving their loved ones devastated and in deep sorrow. The first two bodies were flown in from Delhi to Belagavi’s Sambra Airport on Thursday evening at 6:20 PM. The other two arrived later that night, passing through Goa before reaching Belagavi. At Sambra Airport, the district administration received the bodies of Mahadevi Bavanur from Shivajinagar and Arun Koparde from Shetty Galli. Since their bodies arrived on time in Delhi, they were brought directly to Belagavi in the afternoon flight. However, Jyothi Hattaravath and her daughter Megha’s bodies arrived late, after being routed through Goa from Delhi. As the bodies reached Belagavi, family members began to wail in anguish, demanding the chance for the final rites. Though the authorities reassured them that the bodies would be handed over after post-mortem, the grief was overwhelming. By 8 PM, after the post-mortem, the bodies were returned to their grieving families, as confirmed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Vijaykumar Honakeri. Meanwhile, it was revealed that Megha’s dog had been restless since the day she left for the Kumbh Mela. The dog stopped eating or drinking, seemingly sensing something was wrong. The family wondered if the dog had somehow known about the tragedy in advance. Megha had insisted on attending the Kumbh Mela, despite her family’s concerns. She had told her mother Jyothi, “I must go, the Kumbh Mela may never come again in my lifetime.” It was meant to be a spiritual journey, but tragically, it turned into a final trip. Megha was set to marry in March, and discussions about her upcoming wedding had already taken place. The family is heartbroken that she returned not as a bride, but as a lifeless body.

Belagavi Families Mourn as Four Bodies Return from Kumbh Mela Tragedy