PRAYAGRAJ: Welcoming diplomats from 73 countries to the Maha Kumbh on Saturday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath ensured that the visiting dignitaries saw the festival in all its glory.
After treating them to a daylong tour of the Maha Kumbh Nagar, with a special boat ride to the Sangam, the CM met the guests in the evening and familiarised them with the significance of Maha Kumbh and Prayagraj.
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In his address, the CM said that the entire world was looking at the Maha Kumbh with curiosity and the festival was attracting people from all across the globe. He expressed happiness that the diplomats had accepted the invite to attend the Maha Kumbh.
“While explaining the significance of Prayagraj, the CM told the dignitaries that most of India’s pilgrimage sites are located along the banks of the River Ganga. He highlighted the immense potential for spiritual tourism in UP. Welcoming the diplomats to Prayagraj, he expressed that their visit would undoubtedly be memorable, and they would leave with cherished experiences,” said a government spokesperson.
The CM described Maha Kumbh as a reflection of India’s cultural heritage, with approximately 35 crore people having visited for the holy dip at the confluence so far. By Feb 26, when the festival ends, the CM said that an estimated 45 crore people are expected to visit.
At their arrival in Prayagraj, the diplomats were first welcomed and greeted by the UP government at the Triveni Sangam area in Arail. They were taken by jetty boat to view the Triveni Sangam and were informed about the significance of the culture of the country and the importance of the holy confluence and Maha Kumbh. Some diplomats took a holy dip and sipped the water from the river and called this an unforgettable experience.
After the holy dip, the diplomats toured the Maha Kumbh fair in luxury buses provided by UP Tourism, visiting the Akshayavat Corridor and Bade Hanuman Temple. They also visited the Saraswati Koop in the Akshayavat Corridor. “Many diplomats were particularly impressed by the Indian tradition of worshiping rivers and trees and their spiritual significance. After visiting the Hanuman Temple, the diplomats’ convoy reached the auditorium at the police line in the fair area, where the CM met them,” the official said.
