Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accompanied by his family, visited Akshayvat, a sacred tree located in Mahakumbh Nagar, Prayagraj, on Monday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the state’s two Deputy Chief Ministers accompanied him during the visit.

At the Akshayvat temple, the chief priest conducted a puja while Vedic hymns were chanted. Shah, along with his family and the Chief Minister, participated in the Akshayvat Aarti and offered prayers.

After the puja, the Home Minister, the Chief Minister, and members of the Sant Samaj performed a parikrama of the Akshayvat tree. They also held discussions regarding the arrangements for the upcoming Mahakumbh events.

Shah’s family, including his wife Sonal Shah, son Jay Shah, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, also took part in the religious rituals. A group photograph of Shah and his family was taken near the sacred tree.

The Akshayvat tree, described in Hindu scriptures like the Puranas and Mahabharata, is regarded as immortal. According to legend, Lord Rama, during his exile, meditated under this tree.

Earlier in the day, Shah took a holy dip at the Sangam along with Hindu saints and seers. He prayed for his family and the well-being of citizens.

This event follows a similar visit by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, led by CM Yogi Adityanath, to the Sangam for a holy bath.

The Mahakumbh, a two-month-long festival, has witnessed a large number of devotees. On Makar Sankranti, over 3.5 crore pilgrims, including saints and seers, took a dip in the Ganga.

For the first time, the Shankaracharyas of all four Peethas attended the Mahakumbh, and CM Yogi met them during the event.

–IANS