Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a ritual dip at the confluence of sacred rivers during the ongoing Kumbh Mela on Feb. 5, joining millions of Hindu devotees in what is considered the world’s largest religious festival.
His visit comes just a week after a deadly stampede claimed at least 30 lives.
Dressed in a saffron-colored top and holding prayer beads, Modi waded thigh-deep into the Sangam—the meeting point of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers—before fully immersing himself multiple times.
Thousands of devotees lined the riverbanks in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to witness the prime minister’s participation in the revered ritual, according to a report by Agence France-Presse.
Modi later described his experience as a “moment of divine connection,” adding, “Like the tens of millions of others who have taken part in it, I was also filled with a spirit of devotion.”
The six-week-long festival, held every 12 years, is a central event in Hinduism, drawing vast numbers of pilgrims who believe that imme.
It draws oneself into the holy waters purifies them of sin and offers a path to salvation.
Organizers estimate that up to 400 million people will attend this year’s gathering, a scale comparable to that of an entire nation.
Modi was joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a prominent hardline Hindu monk and a key figure in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Yogi’s handling of the event has been under intense scrutiny, particularly following the tragic stampede on Jan. 29, when a crowd surged beyond a police cordon, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
The incident has cast a shadow over the government’s claims of efficient event management, widely publicized on billboards across Prayagraj.
The timing of Modi’s visit also aligns with state elections in the national capital, New Delhi, where the BJP is vying for power against the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal.
Political analysts view Modi’s presence at the Kumbh Mela as a strategic move to galvanize support among Hindu voters.
As of now, state government data indicates that over 380 million people have already taken a ritual dip since the festival commenced last month. The Kumbh Mela will continue until Feb. 26.
