New Delhi, December 14, 2024.
Honourable Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel Ji, Honourable Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, Honourable Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya Ji and Brajesh Pathak Ji, esteemed ministers of Uttar Pradesh, respected Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly, the Mayor and District Panchayat President of Prayagraj, other distinguished guests, and my dear brothers and sisters.
I bow with reverence to this sacred land of Sangam in Prayagraj. I also extend my obeisance to all the saints and sages arriving for the Maha Kumbh. I particularly commend the efforts of the employees, workers, and sanitation staff who are tirelessly working day and night to ensure the success of the Maha Kumbh. Hosting such a grand global event, preparing to welcome and serve lakhs of devotees every day, conducting a Maha Yagya continuously for 45 days, and building a new city as part of this magnificent initiative—these efforts are creating a new chapter in the history of Prayagraj. The organisation of the Maha Kumbh next year will elevate the cultural and spiritual identity of our nation to unparalleled heights. With great confidence and devotion, I must say that if this Maha Kumbh were to be described in a single sentence, it would be: This is a Maha Yagya of unity that will resonate across the globe. I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all of you for the grand and divine success of this event.
Friends,
Bharat is a land of holy places and sacred pilgrimages. It is home to countless revered rivers, such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kaveri, and Narmada. The sanctity of these rivers, the significance of numerous pilgrimage sites, their grandeur, their confluence, their coming together—all of this embodies the essence of Prayag. Prayag is not merely the meeting point of three holy rivers; it is a place of unparalleled spiritual importance. It is said about Prayag: माघ मकरगत रबि जब होई। तीरथपतिहिं आव सब कोई॥ —meaning that when the Sun enters Capricorn, all divine powers, all pilgrimage sites, and all sages, Maharishis, and mystics converge at Prayag. This is the place whose spiritual influence completes the Puranas. Prayagraj is the sacred land that has been glorified in the verses of the Vedas.
Brothers and Sisters,
Prayag is a sacred land where every step is marked by a holy site, and every path leads to a place of virtue. As the verse says: त्रिवेणीं माधवं सोमं, भरद्वाजं च वासुकिम्। वन्दे अक्षय-वटं शेषं, प्रयागं तीर्थनायकम्॥ This describes the triple effect of the Triveni Sangam, the glory of Veni Madhav, the blessings of Someshwar, the sanctity of Rishi Bharadwaj’s ashram, the special significance of Nagraj Vasuki, the immortality of the Akshaya Vat, and the eternal grace of Shesha—this is our Teerthraj Prayag, the king of pilgrimages. Prayag means: “चारि पदारथ भरा भँडारू। This means that Prayag is the place where all four goals of life—Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha—are attainable. Prayagraj is not just a geographic location; it is a realm of profound spiritual experience. I consider it a blessing from Prayag and its people that I am privileged to visit this sacred land repeatedly. During the last Kumbh, I had the honour of bathing in the Sangam, and today, before the start of this Kumbh, I have once again had the privilege of seeking the blessings of Maa Ganga by visiting this holy confluence. Today, I performed a snan (ritual bath) at the Sangam Ghat, had darshan of Hanuman Ji, and received the blessings of the Akshaya Vat tree. For the convenience of devotees, the Hanuman Corridor and Akshaya Vat Corridor are being constructed, and I also received updates about the Saraswati Koop Redevelopment Project. Today, projects worth thousands of crores of rupees have been inaugurated here, and I congratulate all of you for these transformative developments.
