Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived and performed a puja at the Sangam Nose before he launches development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore to improve the city's infrastructure and amenities for the 2025 Maha Kumbh. The prime minister began the visit with the ceremonial puja and darshan at the holy Sangam — the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati rivers. Modi undertook a river cruise before the puja.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present with the prime minister at the puja.
While addressing a rally PM Modi said, "I congratulate the workers and sanitation workers who are working day and night to make Maha Kumbh a success. A new history is being created on this land of Prayagraj. Organizing Maha Kumbh next year will establish the cultural, spiritual identity of the country at a new height. I say it with great confidence, I say it with great devotion. If I have to describe this Maha Kumbh in one sentence, then I would say that this will be such a Maha Yagya of unity that will be discussed all over the world. I wish all of you for the grand and divine success of this event."
The 2025 Maha Kumbh mela will be held from January 13 (Paush Poornima) to February 26 (Maha Shivratri) at Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh is organised every 12 years. According to Prayagraj-based Ashutosh Varshney, the convenor of Raam Naam Bank, millions of pilgrims come together to participate in the bathing ritual at the Triveni Sangam during the Kumbh Mela.
It is firmly rooted in the belief that by immersing oneself in the holy waters, one can cleanse himself/herself of all sins, liberate themselves and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth, and ultimately attain moksha, spiritual liberation. In addition to the bathing ritual, pilgrims also perform worship along the banks and actively participate in enlightening discourses led by various sadhus and saints, Varshney said.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath also addressed the public gathering and said, "The arrival of the Prime Minister is extremely important for all Sanatan Dharma followers in view of the inauguration of the 2025 Prayagraj Mahakumbh. Projects worth thousands of crores are going to be inaugurated here today. After hundreds of years, on the inspiration, guidance and ideals of the PM, for the first time in the 2019 Prayagraj Kumbh, devotees got the darshan of Akshayvat. This time the Akshayvat corridor is going to be inaugurated... Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir Corridor is also going to be inaugurated..."
