Kumbh Mela 2019: Sadhus take out Peshwai procession ahead of event; PM hopes sanitation is maintained at holy site

[caption id="attachment_5837821" align="alignnone" width="940"] Around 12 crore devotees are expected to visit the Kumbh Mela starting at Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh from 15 January. PTI[/caption][caption id="attachment_5838071" align="alignnone" width="940"] Sadhus of the Shri Panchayati Taponidhi Niranjani Akhada took out the Peshwai procession for the Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj on Wednesday. PTI[/caption][caption id="attachment_5838081" align="alignnone" width="940"] Touted as the biggest cultural and religious event in the world, the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj has been accorded the status of world heritage by UNESCO. PTI[/caption][caption id="attachment_5838101" align="alignnone" width="940"] The event, which will conclude on 4 March, has been included in the list of 'intangible cultural heritage of humanity'. Representatives of 192 countries are expected to visit the Mela this year. PTI[/caption][caption id="attachment_5838091" align="alignnone" width="940"] The government has ensured all arrangements of security and sanitation at the Mela. Over 5,000 NRIs are likely to visit and thus a temporary township has been set up to accommodate the devotees. PTI[/caption][caption id="attachment_5838111" align="alignnone" width="940"] Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address on Sunday said that the Kumbh Mela is a huge medium of self-discovery, where every visitor experiences a unique feeling and learns to look at worldly things from a spiritual perspective. He hoped that sanitation will be maintained during the holy gathering which will help in spreading a positive message far and wide. PTI[/caption]