Lucknow:

Amid the ongoing celebrations for the Mahakumbh Mela and the arrival of people from foreign countries, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met a delegation from Italy. Founder and trainer of Meditation and Yoga Center in Italy, Mahi Guruji along with his followers made a courtesy visit to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow today.

The women who returned from Prayagraj Mahakumbh recited Ramayana, Shiv Tandava and several bhajans in front of the Chief Minister.

#WATCH लखनऊ: इटली से आए एक प्रतिनिधिमंडल ने उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ से मुलाकात की।

प्रयागराज महाकुंभ से लौटी महिलाओं ने मुख्यमंत्री के सामने रामायण, शिव तांडव और कई भजनों का पाठ किया। pic.twitter.com/nsQhvx2n2y

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) January 19, 2025

Over 1.7 million pilgrims visited the Mahakumbh Mela on Sunday as of 8:00 AM, according to official data released by the Uttar Pradesh government.

On the seventh day of the Maha Kumbh, among a congregation of over 1.7 million devotees gathered at the Sangam Triveni, 10 lakh Kalpvasis and 7.02 lakh pilgrims took a holy dip by 8 AM.

Earlier today, devotees gathered in the Maha Kumbh Mela amid the layer of dense fog engulfed the area. The inclement weather conditions don’t seem to have an effect on the footfall of pilgrims.
As of January 18, more than 77.2 million pilgrims have taken a dip at the Sangam Triveni.

The footfall of the pilgrims is expected to increase in the upcoming days as four key Shahi Snans are yet to come.

Maha Kumbh Mela began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).

Meanwhile, spiritual leader Morari Bapu arrived in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday and said that he is very excited for the ongoing Maha Kumbh.

He said, “…I am very happy and I have arrived for ‘katha’ at the Mahakumbh. The arrangements for the Mahakumbh are very good. I am very excited as it is a very big festival for the ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and Spiritual world…”

The Maha Kumbh Mela has been witnessing a huge influx of devotees with some notable names participating in the event.

Devotees, both Indian and foreign, immersed themselves in the sacred tradition, contributing to the world’s largest spiritual gathering. The atmosphere around the Triveni Sangam was filled with devotion as foreign pilgrims joined in the spiritual energy of the Mela.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Sangli, Maharashtra:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that whenever the country is facing a tough time, he run away to Italy.

CM Yogi also suggested that Rahul Gandhi should not campaign for elections here as he went to Italy during the pandemic, earthquake and floods.

Addressing a public meeting in Maharashtra’s Sangli, CM Yogi said, “You have seen Rahul Gandhi, whenever the country faces tough times, he is the first one who leaves the country and runs away. When covid came, he went to Italy. Be it an earthquake, flood or any other disaster, he left for Italy”.

“When you (Rahul Gandhi) have to go to Italy, why waste time here in elections, go to Italy. When he is outside India, he criticises it and when in India, he behaves as if the country has been inherited by his forefathers,” CM Yogi added.

He also lashed out at the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, saying “This is not India of Congress period where after one slap, they used to say wait, Let the peace does not vitiate anywhere. …If anyone dares to slap, today we dare to punch back with all our strength…,” he added, referring to India’s rising.

Maharashtra, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the Lower House of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 contested seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 out of 23 seats.

The polling in the state is being held across five phases. Polling for 11 seats in Maharashtra will be held in the third phase on May 7.

Of the 48 seats in the state, voting in 13 was conducted across the first and second phases.

Polling for the first phase and the second phase was held on April 19 and April 26, respectively.

The next round of voting will be held on May 7.The counting and results will be declared on June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)