PM Modi announces a unique gift to Ardh Kumbh pilgrims

During his yesterday’s visit to Prayagraj, Prime Minister Modi announced that devotees will now be able to worship Akshay Vat during Ardh Kumbh. He said, “I want to give you all good news. This time at the Ardh Kumbh, people can visit Akshay Vat, I have just come after worshipping Akshay Vat”.

For many generations, Akshay Vat was sealed inside Akbar’s fort but now devotees after taking a dip at Prayag can visit Akshay Vat. The Vat holds great significance in Hinduism, it is believed that there is no benefit until the Akshay Vat is worshipped after taking bath at the Prayag.

According to mythology, a sage asked Lord Narayana to show his divine power, Narayana then submerged the whole world in water for a moment. The only thing that could be visible was the upper part of the Akshay Vat (a Banyan tree), says Atri Muni Goswami who is a priest at the Akshay vat. Another priest Arvind Nath says that there used to be a pond named Kaamkup and people used to climb up the tree and take a leap into the pond to attain salvation. The tree is situated at Patalpuri Temple which is inside the premises of Akbar’s fort. It is said that Akbar and his subordinates even tried to remove and burn the tree but wasn’t successful. Apart from the Akshay Vat there are also 43 statues of gods and goddesses in the temple. Priest Prayag Nath Goswami says that Lord Ram and Sita while going to forest stayed for three days under this tree.

 As of 2011, permission from the Commandant of Allahabad Fort’s Ordnance Depot was required to visit this tree but now the Modi government has opened it for all and people will now be able to visit and worship the holy tree. While addressing a public meeting, PM Modi said that for the Kumbh the government has given special attention to connectivity and infrastructure and Railway Ministry is going to run several new trains this time.

PM Modi unveiled various projects wherein under Namami Gange Project beautification of 150 ghats will be done out of this work of 50 ghats have already been completed. Also with the help of sewage treatment plant worth Rs.1700 crores one dozen drains of the city will now be stopped from falling into Ganga. He inaugurated the state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre for the Kumbh Mela. The central government along with the Uttar Pradesh government is trying to make Ardh Kumbh a grand success and is also trying to present a glimpse of India’s glorious past and great future that lies ahead.

“Our duty is to take care of each and everyone who visits and attends. It is a matter of India’s dignity, we need to ensure that people take a different impression of India when they visit,” PM Modi said. The Ardh Kumbh Mela will commence from 15^th Jaunary, 2019 and for this Bamrauli airport complex was also inaugurated which will help in handling more number of passenger flights.