Amidst a unique spiritual atmosphere, echoes of ghantas and ghariyals and chanting of Vedic mantras at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe along with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi not only enthusiastically watched the internationally-famous Ganga aarti but also offered Ganga puja and Dugdhabhishek at holy river Ganga on Saturday. Abe also took out his mobile to capture the rare visual treat at the flower-decked ghat that sparkled with attractive lighting arrangements.
Both leaders spent nearly an hour at the ghat in Modi’s parliamentary constituency.
A special make-shift stage was erected with the help of pontoons on the riverbed for the two PMs. In the beginning the president of Ganga Sewa Nidhi Pt Sushant Mishra welcomed them amidst the slogans of traditional ‘Har, Har Mahadev’ and then nine Pandits led by Prof Chandramauli Upadhyaya of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) helped the two PM to offer Ganga puja.
People thronged the ghat to watch this special Ganga aarti which was even more attractive than those seen on the auspicious occasions of Dev Deepawali.
Hundreds of diyas and candles were lighted to create a rare and memorable scene symbolising the friendship of India and Japan and cultural closeness between the Hindus and Buddhists.
Elaborate security arrangements were put in place for the high-profile visit. Nearly 7,000 security personnel were pressed into service for the high-profile visit lasting about four hours. Security at the normally crowded ghat was taken over by the Army and the Navy while scuba divers of the National Disaster Response Force were deployed around stage.
The city waited for almost 52 years for such an occasion. Though heads of different countries often graced the city with their presence considering its cultural and historical importance, last high-profile visit of such political significance was when Pt Jawaharlal Nehru came here along with the Queen of England.
Abe’s Varanasi visit, which marks a new chapter in traditional cultural ties between the two countries, also assumes significance as it came against the backdrop of Partner City Agreement between Kyoto and Varanasi, signed by the two leaders during the Prime Ministers visit to Japan in August last year.
“Our remarkable relationship also has a wonderful human touch. The Kyoto-Varanasi partnership is one of its strong symbols,” Abe said at a joint media interaction with Modi.
Though Abe could not visit Sarnath, the land of lord Buddha who had given his ‘First Sermon’ after enlightenment at Bodh Gaya more than 2500 years ago, he visited the city through roads covering a long distance where nearly 6500 school children carrying flags of two countries welcomed the two leading leaders of the world.
Earlier, Abe along with Modi was welcomed by Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav along with senior officers including the Chief Secretary, DGP, Mayor, Commissioner, IG, DIG, DM, SSP, district Panchayat chairman at Babatpur Airport.
The CM offered a bouquet and a shawl to both Abe and Modi.
The two Prime Ministers then walked down the red carpet to a traditional welcome comprising Buddhist monks, Kathak dancers, and drum-beating artistes. later Abe drove into his armoured car to the Taj Gateway hotel in Nadesar.
The entire 22-km-long route, from Babatpur airport to the Dashashwamedh Ghat was decked up with flowers, welcome signboards and cutouts.