Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 15 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday extended his greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after inaugurating Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0, calling it an effort to realise the vision of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.
"I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, Kashi Tamil Sangamam is inaugurated for the third consecutive time on the holy land of Vishwanath. For us, this is a part of our efforts to carry forward Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. This event is important because the world's largest spiritual and cultural event, Mahakumbh, is going on in Prayagraj," Adityanath said while addressing the gathering at Namo Ghat.
He highlighted that over 51 crore devotees have taken a dip in the Triveni Sangam (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati), demonstrating unity beyond caste and regional differences.
"Mahakumbh has witnessed approximately 51 crore devotees taking hold dip in the Triveni Sangam. This shows the faith and the unity of the country. It gives out a message that there is no discrimination based on caste or region. People are coming from across the country, reflecting on the idea of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'," he added.
Referring to the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Adityanath said that no other event in the world has matched its scale. He emphasised the opportunity to connect Kashi Tamil Sangamam with this grand spiritual gathering.
"No bigger event than this has taken place anywhere in the world. It is the biggest event to date, which has connected 51 crore devotees till now, and I am happy that this time, along with the organisation of Mahakumbh, there is an opportunity to connect Kashi Tamil Sangamam as well, so I heartily congratulate and welcome all of you," the UP CM said.
Adityanath further invoked Maharishi Agastya's efforts to connect the northern part of India with south India. He said that Agastya was a medium that connected Kashi with Tamil.
"Maharishi Agastya has been a medium to connect Sanskrit and Tamil, Kashi and Tamil, and north and south (India). Kashi has been famous since ancient times as a spiritual city in India and a city of knowledge and heritage. Kashi Tamil Sangamam, which carries such an ancient heritage, connects all of us with our heritage that Prime Minister Modi calls Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat," he said.
Earlier today, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister surveyed Varanasi's ghats ahead of the inauguration of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0. Devotees continue to arrive in large numbers after their visit to Prayagraj, and the survey will continue until February 24.
He also offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.