"India’s grandeur on display": PM Modi praises Maha Kumbh, calls it a national awakening

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Lok Sabha during the Budget session, praised the historic success of Maha Kumbh 2025, which saw a staggering 66 crore devotees gathering in Prayagraj. He described the month-long pilgrimage as a testament to India’s unity, faith, and cultural strength, crediting the people of Uttar Pradesh and Prayagraj for their efforts in organizing the mega event.

"I bow to the countrymen whose efforts led to the successful organisation of the Maha Kumbh. The success of the Maha Kumbh is a result of countless contributions. I thank the people of India, Uttar Pradesh, and Prayagraj," PM Modi said in his speech.

Highlighting the spiritual and social significance of the Kumbh Mela, the Prime Minister emphasized that it demonstrated India’s strength in unity and its deep-rooted traditions. "In the Maha Kumbh, all differences faded away. This is India's great strength, showing that the spirit of unity is deeply rooted within us," he remarked. He further stated that the Maha Kumbh was not just an event but a symbol of national awakening, inspiring new achievements and progress.

PM Modi also underscored that the global impact of the Maha Kumbh was a reflection of India's growing stature on the world stage. "The entire world saw India's grandeur in the form of Maha Kumbh. We witnessed a national awakening in the Maha Kumbh, which would inspire new achievements. This also gave a befitting reply to those who doubt our strength," he said. He added that the event strengthened the faith of the younger generation, who are embracing traditions with pride.

During his speech, PM Modi mentioned that he had immersed sacred water from the Sangam at Ganga Talao in Mauritius, further highlighting the global spiritual connection of the event. However, his speech was met with criticism from the Congress, which accused him of ignoring the stampede deaths that occurred during the Maha Kumbh. Reports confirmed that at least 30 people lost their lives in a stampede at the fair venue in Prayagraj, while 18 others died in a crowd surge at a Delhi railway station during Kumbh-bound travel.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 was held from January 13 to February 26, during which millions of devotees and Naga sadhus took a holy dip in the Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. The event, despite its grand success, also raised concerns over crowd management and safety, prompting discussions on improving infrastructure and organization for future gatherings.