New Delhi, December 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Prayagraj (Allahabad) today, as the city gears up for the Kumbh Mela scheduled to begin from January 15, 2019. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also present with the Prime Minister at the various events today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Command and Control Centre for the Kumbh Mela after landing in Prayagraj on Sunday. Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019: Images of Naga Sadhus, ‘Kumbh Chalo’ Slogans to Adorn 1,600 Rail Coaches Run by Indian Railways Specially for the Holy Event.

The government claims that PM Modi will inaugurate and unveil 366 govt programmes today, worth Rs 4048 crore. No Marriages in Prayagraj for Three Months! UP Govt Bans Wedding Ceremonies in Prayagraj Between Jan-March 2019 for Upcoming Kumbh Mela.

Check the ANI Tweet Below:

The Ardh Kumbh Mela will commence from January 14 to March 3 next year at the Triveni Sangam – the holy confluence of river Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Thousands of devotees will flock to the city to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam.

To facilitate pilgrims arriving in large numbers during the Kumbh Mela in 2019, the railways has proposed running 800 special trains from various stations of Allahabad district, an officials has said. These trains would be in addition to the regular trains run by the North Central Railway (NCR).

In a special ceremony, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh, along with the heads of missions of more than 70 countries, participating in the next year’s Kumbh Mela, collectively hoisted the flags of their respective countries in Prayagraj on Saturday.

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in the year 2017 listed the Kumbh Mela as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and called it "the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth." The festival is held at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik every four years by rotation and is attended by millions of people. (With Agency Inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2018 04:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).