Three Kanwariyas were killed after their motorcycle collided with an auto-rickshaw in Prayagraj while they were travelling towards Varanasi carrying Ganga water, police said on Monday. The accident took place late Sunday evening in the Ganga Nagar area under the jurisdiction of the Sarai Inayat police station. The victims were part of the large number of devotees travelling during the Kanwar pilgrimage period. DCP (Ganga Nagar) Kuldeep Gunawat said the accident occurred when the motorcycle carrying the three men was travelling on the road.

Police identified the deceased as Shiv Prakash, 20, a resident of Tharwai; Ashok Kumar, 32, from Phaphamau; and Lallu, 40, also from Tharwai. They were travelling towards Varanasi as part of their pilgrimage when the accident occurred. According to the police, Shiv Prakash died at the scene of the accident. Ashok Kumar and Lallu suffered serious injuries and were immediately taken to Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital in Prayagraj for medical treatment. Despite efforts to save them, both men later died while undergoing treatment, DCP Gunawat said. The deaths turned the accident into a major tragedy for the families and fellow pilgrims.

Police said the motorcycle was travelling at high speed and that the road had become slippery following rainfall. The two-wheeler reportedly skidded because of the road conditions before colliding with the auto-rickshaw. Investigators are examining the circumstances of the crash, including the sequence of events leading to the collision and the condition of the road at the time. The three men were travelling while carrying Ganga water, a central part of the Kanwar pilgrimage undertaken by devotees during the Hindu month of Shravan. Kanwariyas typically collect water from the Ganga at pilgrimage centres and carry it to temples in their respective destinations.

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Large numbers of devotees travel through Uttar Pradesh during the pilgrimage season, often using highways and other major roads. The accident comes amid increased movement of Kanwariyas across Uttar Pradesh, with devotees travelling between major religious destinations and towns. The combination of heavy traffic, long journeys and changing weather conditions can create additional risks for those travelling by motorcycle or other vehicles. Rain can also make road surfaces slippery and reduce vehicle control, particularly for two-wheelers. Police have specifically cited high speed and slippery road conditions following rainfall as factors behind the Prayagraj accident.

Authorities are continuing to examine the incident and determine the precise circumstances in which the motorcycle collided with the auto-rickshaw. The deaths of Shiv Prakash, Ashok Kumar and Lallu have highlighted the dangers faced by pilgrims travelling on roads during the busy Kanwar season. The incident also underlines the importance of caution, particularly for two-wheeler riders travelling on wet roads. Further details regarding the investigation and any action arising from the accident are expected as police continue their inquiry. For now, authorities have attributed the crash to the motorcycle’s speed and slippery road conditions, while the deaths of all three Kanwariyas have been confirmed.

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