Mahakumbh Nagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited the Maha Kumbh mela and took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.
Dressed in a full-sleeve deep orange jersey and blue lowers, Modi held ‘rudraksh’ beads in his hands during the bathing ritual amid chants of mantras.
The prime minister, who was also wearing a ‘rudraksh’ necklace, offered prayers to the Sun and River Ganga.
Modi took a boat ride from Arail Ghat to the Triveni Sangam — the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
On the way, he acknowledged the greetings of the sizeable crowd that had lined up on both sides of the riverbanks to catch a glimpse of him.
After the holy dip, the PM performed rituals, including ‘aarti’ to the Ganga, as he got on board a floater, a specially built makeshift platform on the river.
He was dressed in a black jacket and Himachali cap for the ‘aarti’ during which he offered milk and flowers to the holy rivers.
Chief Minister Adityanath stood nearby as a priest guided the prime minister in the rituals.
Modi’s visit to the Maha Kumbh came on a day when assembly polls are underway in Delhi as well as the Milkipur bypoll in Uttar Pradesh.
Security was stepped up for the prime minister’s visit. However, barring some portions that were mandatory for security protocols, devotees continued to take a dip at other ghats during the VIP visit, officials said.
Being held after 12 years, the Maha Kumbh started on January 13 and will continue till February 26. It is considered among the holiest pilgrimages by Hindus
The mega fair on the banks of the Sangam has been drawing millions of pilgrims from across India and the world.
According to the Uttar Pradesh government, so far, over 38 crore pilgrims have visited the Maha Kumbh.
