By Sakshi Dayal NEW DELHI (Reuters) -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,

Modi takes a holy dip at Kumbh Mela, a week after a deadly stampede killed 30 and injured nearly 100 in Prayagraj. #KumbhMela #Modi #India

A senior police officer said at least 30 people died as a crowd panicked at the Hindu Kumbh Mela mega-festival in the northern city of Prayagraj.

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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."

Dozens of people were killed in a pre-dawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India on Wednesday as tens of millions of Hindus gathered to take a dip in sacred river waters on the most auspicious day of a six-week festival.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and said he felt "blessed to be at the Maha Kumbh" where he was "filled with a spirit of devotion"