Prayagraj, Feb 10 (UNI) President Droupadi Murmu on Monday took the sacred dip at Sangam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and mystic Saraswati river in Sangam during ongoing Maha Kumbh, symbolising unity and social harmony.

With deep faith and devotion, the President immersed herself in the holy Sangam waters at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj amid the chanting of Vedic mantras. Before the ritual bath, she offered flowers and coconut at the Sangam and paid obeisance to Lord Surya by performing 'Arghya'.

She took multiple dips while praying to the sacred rivers. Subsequently, she performed Puja at Sangam, accompanied by Aarti and Vedic recitations. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present with her.

Before immersing herself in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam, the President, accompanied by her family, performed traditional Puja Archana. She first touched the holy water with deep faith, sought blessings, and then offered a flower garland and coconut, praying for the nation's peace and prosperity.

She then worshipped Lord Surya, offering 'Arghya' in reverence, before taking multiple dips in the confluence with devotion. Following the ritual bath, she performed 'Puja' with full traditional rites.

The President also conducted a 'Dugdh Abhishek' of the Sangam Triveni amid chanting of Vedic hymns and shlokas. She then offered Akshat, Naivedya, flowers, fruits, and a red chunri as part of her prayers.

She performed Aarti of the three sacred rivers at the confluence site. The Teertha Purohit present there welcomed her by tying a Kalawa on her wrist.

Earlier, Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warmly welcomed President Draupadi Murmu upon her arrival in Prayagraj. From there, the President proceeded to Arail Ghat, where she boarded a cruise to reach the Triveni Sangam.

During her tour, she also enjoyed boating while standing on the deck and feeding the birds. Governor Patel and Chief Minister Adityanath took the opportunity to brief the President about the organisation of the Mahakumbh and the various arrangements in place for the event.

It may be noted that Murmu is the third President of India to visit the Maha Kumbh of spirituality, timeliness, and changeability. So far, only three Presidents of the country have had the privilege of taking a holy dip in the Kumbh.

Earlier, the country's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad had arrived at the Kumbh in Prayagraj in 1953. He had also performed a month-long Kalpavas here. In view of security, he did not stay in any pilgrim priest's camp but completed his Kalpavas in the camp above Akbar's fort located on the banks of Sangam.

The place where Dr Prasad completed his Kalpavas by camping on the roof of Akbar's fort located on the banks of Sangam under the army is now known as 'The Presidential View'. After a long gap of 66 years since Dr Rajendra Prasad's arrival at the Kumbh Mela, India's 14th President Ram Nath Kovind reached the Kumbh in 2019 with his family and took a holy dip.

He was overwhelmed by seeing the grandeur and divinity of Kumbh with the confluence of the pure Ganga, the dark Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati.

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