The Maha Kumbh Mela represents the glorious traditions of India and modern facilities are being set up for the upcoming mega event which will see participation of people from India and abroad, a Uttar Pradesh minister said Thursday.
The upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela, "world's largest congregation of religious pilgrims", will start in Uttar Pradesh's sacred city of Prayagraj (earlier Allahabad) from January 15.
Talking to reporters here, Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Minister Nand Gopal Gupta said the kumbh represents glorious traditions of India.
"The Prayagraj kumbh has been accorded the status of World Heritage by UNESCO owing to efforts by the Prime Minister. Also, historical and mythological prestige has been restored by changing its name to Prayagraj as per people's sentiments and with Chief Minister's efforts," he said.
"The people will get an opportunity to get connected with their celebrated past through the kumbh at Prayagraj," Gupta said.
"This holy event is organised at four places in the country, but the event held at Prayagraj in itself is a subject of special curiosity and attraction for the country and the world," the minister added.
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Gupta credited Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for changing the name of Allahabad and said it restored the historical and mythological importance of the holy city.
"The Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, is making elaboratearrangements for successful organisation of the Prayagraj Kumbh 2019.
"The state government is endeavouring to provide a devotionally and spiritually changed atmosphere to pilgrims coming to the kumbh," he said.
The minister said over 5,000 NRIs will also visit the maha kumbh, held every 12 years, owing to joint efforts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adityanath.
"At the world's largest human congregation, people from over 6 lakh villages of India along with overseas devotees will participate," Gupta added.
Under the kumbh-related works, 671 projects were completed during the last one-and-a-half years, he said.
Gupta said for convenience of tourists and devotees visiting the kumbh, the state government has provided modern facilities.
Nine flyovers were constructed in the last one-and-a- half years for smooth traffic movement in and out of Prayagraj, the minister said.
"Bridge Corporation created a record by constructing, in a short period of 14 months, a four-lane wide and 1,325 metre longflyover on a single pillar in front of the Hon High Court in the Prayagraj city area," he said.
The mega event has attracted world-wide attention, Gupta said.
"The whole world is participating inthe event. Ambassadors of about 71 countries have witnessed the preparations for this grand event.
"They have unfurled the national flag of their countries on the bank of Triveni (confluence of three rivers) in the kumbhmela area," he said.