PANJIM: With millions of people expected to descend on Prayagraj to celebrate Ardh Kumbh Mela, the Uttar Pradesh government has been on a spree inviting governments across all the states for the mega Hindu religious festival scheduled to begin mid-January 2019.
The UP government through its Minister for Civil Aviation Nand Gopal Gupta has invited Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to participate in the Mela at Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad.
“We have given an invitation to the Governor and CM to attend the Kumbh Mela, and also urge Goans to participate in the festival,” he said addressing a press conference on Thursday.
“The whole world is participating in the event. Ambassadors of about 71 countries have witnessed the preparations for this grand event. They have unfurled the national flag of their countries on the bank of Triveni in Kumbh Mela area,” the minister added.
On being asked about the alleged presence of drugs like marijuana during the Kumbh Melas in the past, Gupta said the government would crackdown on any such menace while denying drug-related activities at the festival.
“There is no presence of drugs. But if anything like this comes to the fore, our government is determined to take action,” he said. The minister was quick to add that there was no restriction on offering ‘prasad’ to gods.
The world’s largest peaceful gathering of people is expected to draw visitors from not only India but abroad too. As per details shared by the UP government, over 5,000 NRIs will also visit the ‘world’s most massive human congregation of humanity.’ Ardh Kumbh is held every six years while the Maha Kumbh Mela comes after 12 years. The Maha Kumbh is held at Prayagraj while Ardh Kumbh is organized on a rotational basis in the four riverside cities of Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nasik and Ujjain.
