Maha Kumbh a sign of country moving with new energy: Modi

"The Maha Kumbh has concluded. The 'mahayajna' of unity has concluded," PM Modi wrote in a blog, a day after the 45-day religious exercise concluded, and said the country has to now march together with a similar spirit of self-confidence and unity to fulfil the goal of 'Viksit Bharat'.

- Press Trust of India

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday likened the massive Maha Kumbh congregation to the newly awakened consciousness of a nation breathing freely after breaking the shackles of a mindset steeped in centuries-old slavery.

The prime minister said more devotees than anyone could imagine took the holy dip in Sangam, asserting that India is now forging ahead with a new energy and this points to a turn of era which will write India's new future.

He offered apology to "Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna, Mother Saraswati" as well as the people, who he said are a form of God to him, for any shortcoming in the services rendered.

PM Modi noted that making arrangement for an event unfolding at such an enormous scale was not an easy task. Pilgrims almost double the US population participated in the Maha Kumbh, he added.

The administration had made its estimate based on the experience of previous Kumbhs, he said, noting that the real numbers turned out to be more than imagined.

At least 30 devotees died on January 29 during a stampede at the Maha Kumbh, which drew devotees in huge numbers from across the country and abroad.