The upcoming Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, set to begin on January 13, 2025, is being positioned as a symbol of unity and inclusivity, with chief ministers from across the political spectrum invited to attend. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed his ministers to personally deliver invitations to governors and chief ministers across the country, marking this as a national event celebrating spirituality, culture, and tradition.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi are among those on the extensive guest list. The invitations will also be extended to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and Jammu and Kashmir’s Omar Abdullah, among others.
"Mahakumbh is not just a religious gathering; it’s a celebration of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage," said Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. "The idea is to bring everyone together, cutting across political lines, and celebrate the shared values of faith and tradition."
The Mahakumbh, held every 12 years at Haridwar, Ujjain, Nasik, and Prayagraj, is the largest congregation of people worldwide. This year's event will be held at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers from January 13 to February 26, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Prayagraj on December 13, 2024, to review preparations and launch infrastructure projects, including the upgraded Prayagraj-Varanasi rail line.
As part of the preparations, Uttar Pradesh ministers have been assigned specific regions to deliver personal invitations and engage in discussions with state leaders. Minister of State Danish Azad Ansari, who will travel to Jammu and Kashmir to invite Omar Abdullah, remarked, “This Mahakumbh is a moment of national pride. It is our honor to personally reach out to leaders across the country and share this spiritual journey with them.”
Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna will visit Karnataka on December 13-14 to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and later travel to Delhi to invite CM Atishi. Similarly, ministers J.P.S. Rathor and Asim Arun are tasked with inviting Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, while Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh will extend invitations to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In West Bengal, Arun Saxena and Sanjay Gangwar will meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh will travel to Arunachal Pradesh to invite CM Pema Khandu, while Daya Shankar Mishra will visit Nagaland to meet Neiphiu Rio. Energy Minister A.K. Sharma is expected to invite Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.
"We want every state to feel represented in this historic event," said Suresh Khanna. "It’s not just about inviting them but building a sense of participation and unity through shared cultural values."
In addition to domestic outreach, Uttar Pradesh officials plan to conduct international roadshows to attract global tourists to the Mahakumbh. These roadshows aim to showcase India’s rich spiritual heritage and the grandeur of the Mahakumbh.
By bringing leaders from diverse political ideologies together, the Prayagraj Mahakumbh is set to exemplify the ethos of unity in diversity. As Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya aptly put it, "This Mahakumbh is a confluence of not just rivers but also cultures, ideas, and people."