LUCKNOW, Jan. 30 -- People from different states of the country grieved the loss of their loved ones who died in the Mahakumbh stampede, as they came to collect the bodies for the last rites.

Hindustan Times spoke to some grieving families over the phone.

Gujarat resident Mahesh Bhai Patel, 70, who set out with 40 villagers including some family members in a private bus, had thought it would be great for them. His entire group had set out to take a holy dip at midnight on Wednesday when the stampede took place and Patel died, said his group members. "We found him dead in the morning in the hospital," said his nephew, Babu Bhai Patel.

He said that they booked the bus from their village in Mehsana district of Gujarat and had reached the ...