Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that after the grand success of the Maha Prayagraj Kumbh, Holi had given a strong message to those opposing Sanatan dharma. He added that the festival was celebrated peacefully and harmoniously across the state.

On the auspicious occasion of Holi, the Chief Minister began his day on Friday morning with a tilak of Holika Dahan ashes. He then participated in the traditional Rangbhari Shobha Yatra of Lord Narasimha that started from Ghantaghar, playing Holi with devotees. Later in the afternoon, he attended the Holi Milan function at Gorakhnath temple, where he showered flowers on the gathered crowd.

Speaking at the Holi Milan event held at Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Bhavan Auditorium, Chief Minister Yogi strongly defended Sanatan dharma, saying, “Holi itself is an answer to those who question and criticise its traditions. Those who malign Sanatan dharma by falsely claiming it is divided by caste, sect, region or language have received a clear response – first through the grand Maha Kumbh and now through Holi.”

He stated, “On Holi, every Indian, every follower of Sanatan dharma embraced one another, applied colours and gulaal, and strengthened India’s eternal traditions with joy and enthusiasm. This is our greatest strength.”

He further asserted that Sanatan dharma is not divided, and the idea of division exists only in the minds of those who try to defame it. “The real division lies in the thinking of those who spread negativity about Sanatan dharma. Their minds are polluted,” he remarked.

Chief Minister Yogi reminded that India has endured centuries of foreign invasions, where invaders attempted to disrupt festivals like Holi, Diwali and grand events like Maha Kumbh, but the deep faith of Sanatanis always prevailed.

Highlighting the significance of Maha Kumbh, he said, “The world watched in amazement as over 66 crore devotees took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam between January 13 and February 26 during the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. What seemed like a miracle to the world was just a part of the daily life and traditions of Sanatan dharma followers, as the Kumbh tradition has been followed for thousands of years.”

Chief Minister Yogi also pointed out that Sanatan sharma is not just a religion but a way of life, one that continuously evolves and corrects itself through festivals and traditions. He mentioned that the sacred Ganga water from the Maha Kumbh had reached almost every Sanatan household worldwide.

“Even when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius, he presented the Mauritian president with holy Ganga water from the Maha Kumbh,” he noted, showcasing India’s commitment to preserving and sharing its rich traditions globally.

The chief minister shared that he personally monitored the Holi celebrations across Uttar Pradesh, ensuring that people enjoyed the festival with joy and enthusiasm. He emphasised the importance of preserving India’s age-old festival traditions, stating, “Our festivals and celebrations are a part of our heritage, passed down through thousands of years. It is our duty to protect them from outdated beliefs and negative influences.”

He further stressed the significance of faith and devotion in upholding Sanatan dharma, asserting, “As long as we carry forward the legacy of our rishi tradition with the same dedication and reverence, no power in the world can harm us.”

The Holi Milan programme saw the participation of Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Gorakhnath temple’s chief priest Yogi Kamalnath, Jagadguru Swami Santosh Das (Satuwa Baba) from Kashi, and several other saints, public representatives and citizens. The attendees also enjoyed a variety of traditional delicacies, adding to the festive spirit of the celebration.