Kumbh Mela organisers eye participation from 193 nations, 6 lakh villages

The Kumbh Mela next year will practically host the entire world! The Yogi Adityanath government has been leaving no stone unturned to bring the “entire world” to the upcoming Kumbh Mela.

The Adityanath government has been trying to reach out to 193 countries across the globe for the Kumbh Mela. There are 195 countries in the world at present, of which 193 are the members of the United Nations, while the other two—the Holy See and Palestine—are non-member observer states.

The Adityanath government is in the process of sending invitations to all 193 countries and is keen that these countries send representatives to the Kumbh Mela, which is touted as the greatest religious congregation on the earth.

According to Adityanath, representatives or ambassadors of foreign countries would be brought to the Kumbh Mela in the second week of December.

The Narendra Modi government at the Centre too has been fully supporting the Adityanath government in its initiative to showcase the Kumbh Mela to the world in a grand way. The Modi government has also directed all Indian ambassadors to showcase the Kumbh Mela in the countries where they are posted.

In this regard, the government has been taking the help of prominent international and national tour operators. This grand religious congregation has also been recognised as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” by UNESCO.

The BJP governments at the Centre and state are so serious about their commitment to holding a grand Kumbh Mela that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Allahabad to review the preparations in October or November.

According to regional tourism officer, Allahabad, Anupam Srivastava, a delegation of ambassadors of foreign countries, led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, too would visit Allahabad to review the preparations and ensure a good stay for their nationals during the Kumbh Mela.

In addition to the foreign participation, “The government will ensure at least two people from each village of the country will come to the Kumbh Mela,” Adityanath said. There are 6 lakh villages in the country, which means the Adityanath government is trying to ensure participation of at least 12 lakh people from villages in India in the mega event.