India News | Maha Kumbh: Amit Shah Takes Dip at Sangam, Family Performs Rituals

Mahakumbh Nagar (UP), Jan 27 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dip at the Triveni Sangam here on Monday and described the Maha Kumbh as a unique symbol of the Sanatan culture's philosophy, which is rooted in harmony.

Shah took the dip around 1 pm, performed "jal aachman" (sipping holy water) and offered water to the Sun, besides performing other rituals under the guidance of top seers.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who, along with the seers, entered the holy waters with Shah, moved back when the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader took the dip.

Soon, Junapithadheeshwar Mahamandelashwar Acharya Avdheshanand Giriji Maharaj asked Adityanath to come and join the others in performing the rituals and the chief minister came forward again.

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Yoga guru Ramdev was also among those present on the occasion.

The home minister's family members, including son Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), partook in the rituals, including "aarti" at the Sangam. Amit Shah's wife Sonal, daughter-in-law Rishita and grandchildren also took part in the rituals.

The seers blessed Jay Shah and Rishita's newborn as the ICC chairman held him in his lap while his elder daughter joined him for the "aarti".

"I am overwhelmed and delighted to have taken a holy dip at the sacred Triveni Sangam during the 'Maha Kumbh', a symbol of social harmony and unity, in the presence of revered seers," Shah said in a post in Hindi on X.

"I pray to Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna and Mother Saraswati for the well-being of all," he added.

The home minister noted that the Maha Kumbh is fostering a sense of unity among the countrymen and enhancing pride in Sanatan traditions.

"At the Sangam banks, I performed rituals with my family and prayed for the prosperity and progress of the nation," he said.

After the rituals at the Sangam, the Shah family visited the Akshayvata, circumambulated the sacred tree and offered prayers, with Adityanath by its side.

The Akshayavata is an ancient tree that has mythological significance for Hindus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also offered prayers at the Akshayvata during his pre-Maha Kumbh visit in December.

Before taking the dip, Shah held an interaction with Avdheshanand Giriji Maharaj and some other seers in a cottage on a floating jetty. Adityanath was seated next to the home minister during the interaction.

Shah's visit was marked by an unprecedented security cover in the mela area as well as in Prayagraj.

While the mela area was strictly made a no-vehicle zone, Prayagraj city had several route diversions in place, impacting the locals and visiting pilgrims.

In a post in Hindi on X, Adityanath said: "Today, in the holy presence of revered seers and spiritual leaders, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah took a sacred dip at the holy Triveni Sangam in Tirthraj Prayag. May Ma Ganga, Ma Yamuna and Ma Saraswati bless everyone with prosperity and well-being. This is our prayer."

He also shared a Sanskrit "shloka" from the "Padma Purana", an ancient and revered text in Hinduism, signifying the importance of the holy bath at the Sangam during the Hindu month of "Magh".

In another post on the microblogging platform, Adityanath said: "In the sacred presence of revered seers, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah performed the ritual worship and aarti of the ever-purifying Mother Ganga at Prayagraj. May Mother Ganga's blessings remain upon the entire creation." In this post, he shared a Sanskrit "shloka" devoted to the Ganga river.

Earlier in the day, the home minister said in a post on X that the Maha Kumbh is a unique symbol of the continuous flow of the Sanatan culture.

"The Kumbh showcases the life philosophy of Sanatan Dharma, which is rooted in harmony. I am eager to take a dip at the Sangam and receive the blessings of seers at this great festival of unity and integrity in the holy city of Prayagraj," he added.

According to the Uttar Pradesh government, more than 93.1 lakh people had taken the holy bath at the Maha Kumbh by 4 pm on Monday.

The mela area is hosting more than 10 lakh "Kalpvasis" and over 13.21 crore people so far have taken the dip since the mega religious congregation started on January 13, the government said.

"Kalpvas" is a month-long practice of austerity and spiritual focus.

The Maha Kumbh will continue until February 26.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)