Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Prayagraj on Wednesday to participate in the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering. At around 11:20 a.m., the Prime Minister took a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, and offered prayers to Maa Ganga.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied the prime minister during this visit.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which began on Paush Purnima (Jan. 13, 2025), attracts millions of devotees from around the world. The event will continue until Mahashivratri on Feb. 26, 2025. The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement highlighting the significance of the event and the Prime Minister's participation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a holy dip at Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj. (PMO India via PTI Photo)
During his previous visit to Prayagraj on Dec. 13, 2024, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 167 development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore. These projects aim to improve connectivity, amenities, and services for the general public, enhancing the overall infrastructure of the region.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took Amrit Snan at the Mahakumbh on Basant Panchami.
Last week, at least 30 people died and 60 were injured in a stampede that broke out on Wednesday, when the area close to the Sangam was bursting at the seams because of a heavy rush of pilgrims, who had gathered for a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya.
The Mahakumbh, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, attracts approximately 42 million pilgrims from a global scale, as per data by Atlys. The data revealed that nearly half of all spiritual travel visa applications are linked to events and pilgrimages like the Mahakumbh. The international interest is driven by applications from travellers in the UK and the US.
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