A high-profile 150 individuals, including Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, cabinet ministers, MLAs, and other political leaders, departed for Prayagraj from Dabolim Airport on Saturday morning.
The group, accompanied by their families, boarded a special Air India flight at 10 AM to attend the Mahakumbh Mela. All participants will take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.The return journey is scheduled for late Saturday night.
The pilgrimage, which was initially postponed due to overcrowding and traffic congestion during Mauni Amavasya, resumed with a significant political presence.
BJP state president Damu Naik, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Vasco MLA Daji Salkar, Murgaon MLA Sankalp Amonkar, Mayem MLA Premendra Shet, BJP leader Narendra Sawaikar, and other prominent figures were part of the entourage.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sawant emphasized the government’s efforts in facilitating the participation of Goan citizens in the Mahakumbh. “Thousands of people from Goa have already traveled to Prayagraj through three special trains, and another train will be arranged soon." he said .
Vasco MLA Daji Salkar highlighted the significance of this year’s Mahakumbh, stating, “This rare celestial event occurs once every 144 years, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We requested the Chief Minister to extend this privilege to as many Goans as possible so that they too could experience this holy gathering.”
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, who will also take a dip at the Triveni Sangam, spoke about the spiritual power of the Mahakumbh.
The Uttar Pradesh government has made special arrangements for the visiting delegation from Goa. According to sources, the Chief Minister’s Office coordinated the tour, with some MLAs offering this opportunity to key figures from their constituencies.
Meanwhile, Prayagraj continues to witness an overwhelming influx of devotees at the Mahakumbh Mela. On Friday, heavy traffic congestion brought major roads to a standstill.
Barricades at multiple locations caused long queues of vehicles, and gridlock persisted until late evening.
Despite the conclusion of the Magh Purnima bathing festival, the steady stream of pilgrims remains unabated.
Authorities implemented additional crowd-control measures, particularly on the seven main routes leading to Prayagraj. However, as the weekend began, a fresh surge of devotees added to the congestion, prompting police to reinforce barricades and manage traffic flow.
The Goa delegation is expected to complete their pilgrimage and return home by late Saturday night.