Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took holy dips in the sacred river waters in the northern city of Prayagraj on Wednesday, joining millions at the Maha Kumbh Mela, a week after dozens died in a stampede at the event.
Authorities reported that 30 people were killed in the stampede on January 29, the most auspicious day of the six-week-long Hindu festival, as over 76 million people gathered at the river for the ‘royal dip’. Some sources claimed the death toll exceeded 50.
Devout Hindus believe that bathing at the confluence of the three sacred rivers — Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati — absolves sins and brings salvation from the cycle of birth and death.
Live footage showed Modi, dressed in a saffron sweatshirt and black sweatpants with saffron stripes, holding onto a thick yellow rope for support as he took three dips in knee-deep water. Later, Modi posted on X, “I had the supreme fortune of worshipping at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj today. Receiving the blessings of Mother Ganga has brought immense peace and contentment to my heart.”
Security personnel stood in the water nearby as thousands of people crowded the banks to watch the prime minister perform the rituals.
Modi arrived by boat with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and changed his clothes on a floating enclosure before entering the water. Holy men chanted religious verses as he performed the dips.
More than 400 million people are expected to attend this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela, making it the world’s largest gathering. Over 380 million have already attended in the first three weeks.
An investigation has been launched into the stampede, which occurred as devotees thronged the rivers’ confluence, where the dip is considered especially sacred. Opposition parties have blamed mismanagement and accused the BJP state government of hiding the real death toll, which authorities have denied. Additional safety measures have been taken, including more security personnel.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is taking place at a 4,000-hectare temporary township, the size of 7,500 football fields, created along the river banks in Prayagraj.
