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, a week after dozens died in a stampede at the event.

It was not immediately clear what triggered the panic at the festival where devotees from across India had congregated to bathe at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

PM Narendra Modi took a dip in the waters of Triveni Sangam on Wednesday to the accompaniment of Vedic hymns, becoming one with crores of pilgrims who have trooped to Maha Kumbh every day since Jan 13 to experience what he described as "a moment of divine connection".

Modi took a boat ride from Arail Ghat to the Triveni Sangam; along the route, he acknowledged the greetings of the crowd that had lined up on both sides of the riverbank

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"