Prayagraj, Jan 18 (UNI) Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reached Prayagraj to participate in the great festival of Sanatan culture Maha Kumbh being organized on the banks of Sangam.

Singh, who was accompanied by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, was received by Uttar Pradesh Minister Nand Gopal Gupta at Bamrauli Airport.

On reaching Prayagraj, the Defence Minister first took a bath in the holy Triveni Sangam of Ganga, Yamuna and mystic Saraswati and proclaimed Sanatan Ki Jai, Ganga Maiya Ki Jai.

He visited Akshayvat, Patalpuri and Bade Hanuman Ji from the Sangam bank and took stock of the arrangements for the Maha Kumbh.

He will also hold a meeting with the army officials in the evening regarding the security arrangements for the Maha Kumbh.

On the divine occasion of Maha Kumbh, Rajnath and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi took a bath in the holy Triveni Sangam.

Amidst chanting of mantras, he sipped the water of Ganga and offered Arghya to Lord Surya and wished for the well-being of the nation.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, "I consider it my good fortune that I took a bath in Prayagraj, Sangam today. This is a spiritual and cultural mega festival of Indianness. It should not be seen in association with any sect, community or religion. If anyone wants to understand India and Indianness, then come and see the Maha Kumbh."

The Defence Minister reached DPS Ground Naini by helicopter from Bamrauli Airport as per his pre-scheduled programme. He reached Sangam via a jetty from Arail Ghat of Naini and took a bath.

After landing at VIP Ghat from Sangam, he visited Chhatra Akshayvat of Prayagraj in the Akshayavat Corridor.After this, he also visited Patalpuri Temple and Saraswati Koop. Coming out from there, he visited Bade Hanuman Ji and performed special worship in the temple.

He inquired about the well-being of the temple priest and also asked about the arrangements made for Maha Kumbh.After visiting the temple, Rajnath left for the Circuit House while touring the fair.

Meanwhile, after meeting the saints and sages, he will also hold a meeting with the army officers regarding the security arrangements at the Maha Kumbh.

He also inquired about the security arrangements made in view of the threat of a terrorist attack and the rumour of a bomb being found at the Maha Kumbh.

UNI AB KK