Train and bus stations saw a surge in crowds as people continued to arrive for the festival, although some devotees remained nervous after the deadly crush.

More than nine million people took a "holy dip" at the confluence of three sacred rivers. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Millions of devout Hindus thronged the northern Indian city of Prayagraj on Thursday for the Maha Kumbh festival, a day after dozens died in a stampede on the most auspicious day of the six-week event.

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Many were feared dead after millions of Hindu pilgrims at a huge Hindu festival in India rushed to bathe in holy river waters.