Modi, elected for his third consecutive term last year, has championed a Hindu nationalist agenda intertwining the majority religion with politics and economy.
The Kumbh Mela, held at Prayagraj every 12 years, is the biggest milestone on the Hindu calendar.
Modi, speaking before the festival, said previous governments “did not care” about the festival and pointed out that his administration “respects the culture and hence sees it as a responsibility to provide all the facilities for devotees”.
The BJP has long pushed massive projects in key Hindu pilgrimage sites including Ayodhya, also in Utter Pradesh, where a grand temple was opened last year on the site where a centuries-old mosque was torn down by zealots in 1992.
Before the festival, Modi and Adityanath — who controlled lucrative service contracts — boasted of massive infrastructure upgrades and investments. It has cemented diehard loyalty from supporters.
“Both Modi and Yogi are doing what no other government could do for us, and I just want them to stay in power forever,” said Sonu Sharma, 48, from Prayagraj.
“They are kings, and the only thing a good king wants is whatever his subjects need.”
‘Religious division’
