PM takes dip at Kumbh, washes feet of sanitation workers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a holy dip at the 'Sangam' and offered prayers at the ongoing Kumbh mela at Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, after which he washed feet of sanitation workers and lauded their efforts to ensure a Swacch Bharat.

The prime minister also paid tributes to National Disaster Response Force personnel Rajendra Gautam, who sustained a severe spinal injury while rescuing an elderly pilgrim from drowning at Kumbh Mela, passed away at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital where he was airlifted for treatment.

The mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 48 days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river.

"Had the good fortune of taking a holy dip at the #Kumbh. Prayed for the well being of 130 crore Indians," the PM tweeted after stepping into the river and offered prayers with folded hands. Photograph: Courtesy @BJP4India/Twitter

He said no stone was left unturned to make this "Divya Kumbh" a "Bhavya (grand) Kumbh". Photograph: PTI Photo

Modi who was received by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath at Kumbh mela earlier performed the 'Ganga Aarti'. Photograph: Courtesy @BJP4India/Twitter

WATCH: PM Modi takes a holy dip in Sangam at Kumbh

Modi also praised the "naaviks' (boatmen), calling them the "sevak" of Lord Ram. The prime minister described himself as their, the boatmen's, pradhan sevak (principal servant). "Boatmen play an important role during Kumbh. There is a strong relationship between Prayagraj and boatmen. They are the dedicated soldiers of Maa Ganga. Without them, the Ramayana of Lord Ram is incomplete," Modi said.

Talking about washing the feet of the workers, the prime minister said he would cherish the moment for his entire life. "There is an unforgettable moment in every person's life, today I experienced that moment in my life while washing the feet of sanitation workers," Modi said. Photograph: Courtesy @BJP4India/Twitter

In his speech, Modi lauded the efforts of the sanitation workers. "There are many kinds of saints here, and among those, there are my brothers and sisters who have worked tirelessly to make this Kumbh a success, they are my hard-working 'Karmyogis,"he said. Photograph: Courtesy @BJP4India/Twitter

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