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,

At least 17 people were killed and many more injured in a stampede at India's Maha Kumbh festival, the world's largest religious gathering, a doctor at a government hospital said, as tens of thousands of pilgrims rushed to dip in sacred river waters during the Hindu event.

Prime Minister Modi's Kumbh visit comes seven days after a stampede broke out at the fairground. At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede that broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 29.

Several people are feared dead and many more injured as tens of thousands of Hindus rushed to take a holy bath in the river at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in India.

PM Narendra Modi took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The Indian Prime Minister, dressed in a saffron-coloured top and counting prayer beads in his hands, waded out thigh-deep to the meeting point of the Ganges,

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"