Modi offers prayers at Sangam in Kumbh

Prayagraj, Feb 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra modi on Sunday offered prayers at the Sangam -- the holy confluence of the sacred Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Sarawasti rivers and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the nation.Dressed in an orange kurta and wrapped in a saffron shawl, the Prime Minister participated in the 'Triveni Puja' conducted by a group of priests.He offered milk, fruits, a red sari and chandan to the holy rivers. Amid the chanting of hymns, Modi also did a brief 'Sankalp' for which he later offered some 'dakshina' to the priests. He was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Mahendra Nath Pandey.He later performed the 'aarti' and interacted with the priests who conducted the puja.A sacred thread was tied to his right wrist as a symbol of the blessings that come from propitiating the holy rivers. Earlier, he arrived in Prayagraj in a special Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper. He was received by Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh and district officials at the helipad.
--IANS md/pgh/bg