Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took holy dips in sacred river waters in the northern city of Prayagraj on Wednesday as he joined millions of people at the Maha Kumbh Mela, a week after dozens died in a stampede at the event.

The incident left 30 dead and 60 injured. Hundreds of thousands had gathered at the Sangam Nose for a holy dip when the stampede occurred.

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After his ritual bath, Modi expressed his gratitude, saying, "The 'snan', or the 'holy dip', at the 'sangam' is a moment of divine connection. May Maa Ganga bless all with peace, wisdom, good health, and harmony."

The Basant Panchami holy bathing ritual assumes significance in the wake of the stampede during the previous Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya (Jan 29) which resulted in at least 30 deaths and left 60 others injured.

Officials had been preparing for months for the world’s largest religious festival, with around 400 million Hindu pilgrims expected to take part

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on February 5, where he will take a holy dip at Sangam and perform Kumbh rituals. According to the announcement made by the Prime Minister's Office,