Prime Minister Modi visits the Triveni Sangam, offers prayers and reviews the arrangements for the world’s largest spiritual gathering
Year 2025 is going to witness the largest religious gathering of humanity at Prayagraj - Mahakumbh. The preparations are already in full swing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the holy city of Prayagraj, the land of pilgrimage, to oversee preparations for the grand Mahakumbh. This becomes even more significant at the confluence of three holy rivers-Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. At this Triveni Sangam, the auspicious gathering of saints and sages during Mahakumbh elevates it into a grand event. The significance of Mahakumbh lies in its occurrence every 12 years, an event described in depth in our religious texts and Puranas.
According to the estimates of government of Uttar Pradesh, over 45 crore people will attend the Mahakumbh Mela 2025. This makes it the world’s largest religious gathering. Though everybody would like to take a dip at Sangam, but there are other centre of attractions too.
Among the ancient temples of Prayagraj, the Nag Vasuki Temple holds a special place. Worship of serpents or Nagas has been integral to Sanatan Dharma since ancient times. Among these, Vasuki, considered the king of serpents, is an essential figure. Vasuki Nag is also depicted as Lord Shiva’s necklace.
According to the legend of Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Vasuki Nag was used as the rope during the churning of the ocean by gods and demons, with Mount Mandarachal serving as the churning rod. Vasuki Nag’s body was injured during this process, and on Lord Vishnu’s advice, he rested at Prayag and bathed at the Triveni Sangam to heal.
It is believed that a visit to the Nag Vasuki Temple after a holy dip at Sangam completes the spiritual journey. This temple, located in the Daraganj area of Prayagraj along the Ganga River, has its roots in ancient mythology. A story mentions that King Divodas of Kashi performed penance to bring Lord Shiva to Varanasi, and Vasuki Nag was requested to stay in Prayagraj by the deities. Vasuki Nag agreed, stipulating that devotees must visit him after bathing at Sangam and worship him on Nag Panchami. The temple was subsequently established under divine guidance.
Preparations for Mahakumbh 2025: The grand Mahakumbh, to be held from January 13 (Pausha Purnima) to February 26 (Maha Shivratri) next year, is being meticulously planned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth Rs 5,500 crores aimed at improving pilgrim amenities and strengthening the city’s infrastructure.
Key projects include:
1. Doubling and electrification of the Varanasi-Madhosingh-Prayagraj rail section, including a new rail bridge over the Ganga.
2. Construction of underpasses and overpasses to ease traffic.
3. Development of nine new ghats, 3,000 additional trains, 300 parks, and the planting of 300,000 trees over 4,000 hectares.
While in Prayagraj PM Modi not only saw the preparation first hand but also performed rituals at the Sangam, prayed at the Akshay Vat tree, visited the reclining Hanuman Temple, and offered prayers at the Saraswati Koop. He also toured the Mahakumbh exhibition site. The Mahakumbh is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to the Sangam, where it is believed that a dip in the holy waters cleanses one of sins and leads to spiritual liberation (moksha). Apart from bathing rituals, devotees participate in prayers, discourses by saints, and spiritual enlightenment sessions.
(The writer is a freelance journalist; views are personal)
