JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
History was made on Monday in the sacred land of Ladakh when the first Sindhu Kumbh and the 30th Sindhu Darshan Yatra commenced with grand religious and cultural programs. This historic event saw the unique initiative of offering holy water collected from 156 countries to the Indus River, giving it special recognition globally.
Approximately 2,800 devotees from India and abroad are participating in this five-day festival held at the Sindhu Ghat. The highlight of the event is the historic Jalabhishek with water from 156 countries, which is considered an effort to spread the message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The World is One Family) of Indian culture to the entire world.
On Monday, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayanti Bhai Bambhania, along with several foreign dignitaries, arrived in Leh. Kushak Bakula Rinpoche was given a grand welcome at the airport, following traditional Ladakhi customs, with tilak, khatak, and cultural performances.
In the evening, the devotees, carrying the tricolor, were warmly welcomed at Sindhu Bhavan amid chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram.” Artists from various states, including Ladakh, presented colorful cultural programs, filling the atmosphere with patriotic and cultural fervor.
The main ceremony will be held on Tuesday at Sindhu Ghat, inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. Special rituals of the women’s Kalash Yatra, Vedic chanting, and Jalabhishek will be performed during the event. Cultural troupes showcasing the folk culture and traditions of various states in the country will also perform.
Another significant feature of this year’s event is the participation of ambassadors from eight countries. Diplomatic representatives from Fiji, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, Chile, and Ireland are witnessing this historic occasion. According to the organizers, this participation symbolizes the growing international significance and global harmony of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra.
The Sindhu Kumbh has evolved beyond just a religious event, but also a celebration of India’s civilizational heritage, national unity, cultural diversity, and universal brotherhood. This historic event held in Leh could become an important international spiritual and cultural platform in the years to come.
