Maha Kumbh 2025: Rajnath Singh Takes Dip At Holy Prayagraj Sangam, Hails 'Cultural Mega Festival Of Indianness'

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj and bathed in the holy Sangam. He visited temples, and met with officials to discuss security measures.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Saturday and took a dip at the holy Sangam.

Source : X/@rajnathsingh

Mahakumbh Nagar (UP), Jan 18 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Saturday and said it is "a spiritual and cultural mega festival of Indianness," a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government read.

Singh, accompanied by BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, was welcomed at Bamrauli Airport by Uttar Pradesh Minister Nand Gopal Gupta.

The Defence Minister first took a dip at the holy Sangam -- the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers -- amid the chanting of mantras. They also sipped the waters of the Ganga and offered prayers to Lord Surya, the statement added.

"I consider it my good fortune to have taken a bath in the Prayagraj Sangam today. This is a spiritual and cultural mega festival of Indianness. It should not be seen in association with any sect, community, or religion. If anyone wants to understand India and Indianness, they should come and see the Maha Kumbh," Singh remarked.

गंगे च यमुने चैव गोदावरी सरस्वती ।
नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु।

आज तीर्थराज प्रयागराज में, भारत की शाश्वत आध्यात्मिक विरासत और लोक आस्था के प्रतीक महाकुंभ में स्नान-ध्यान करके स्वयं को कृतार्थ अनुभव कर रहा हूँ। pic.twitter.com/ZoELPQCcRC

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 18, 2025

The Defence Minister is also scheduled to meet with Army officials to discuss security arrangements for the Maha Kumbh, the statement added.

After landing at VIP Ghat from the Sangam, he visited and worshipped at Chhatra Akshayvat in the Akshayvat Corridor. He then visited the Patalpuri Temple and Saraswati Koop.

Singh visited Bade Hanuman Ji Temple, where he performed special prayers, the statement added.

The Defence Minister also inquired about the well-being of the temple priest and asked about the arrangements made for the Maha Kumbh.

Additionally, he sought information about the security measures in place, given concerns over potential terrorist threats and rumours about a bomb being found at the Maha Kumbh, the statement said. 

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)