Leh, 24 June (H.S.): Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, today inaugurated the Pratham Sindhu Kumbh on the banks of the sacred Indus River, marking a historic celebration of India’s civilisational heritage, spiritual traditions and national unity.

The festival commemorates the 30th Sindhu Darshan Yatra and has brought together thousands of devotees, spiritual leaders, scholars, cultural representatives and international dignitaries on the banks of the revered Sindhu (Indus) River in Leh.

The landmark gathering witnessed participation from ambassadors and high commissioners of eight countries, including Fiji, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, Chile and Ireland, reflecting the growing international significance of the event.

Highlighting the significance of the Indus River, L-G Saxena observed that the Sindhu is among the oldest known rivers in human history and nurtured the Indus Valley Civilisation, one of the world’s earliest and most significant cradles of civilisation. He noted that the river occupies a profound place in India’s civilisational consciousness and continues to live in the nation’s traditions and collective memory. He remarked that the very name “India” is derived from the word Sindhu, underscoring how deeply the river is intertwined with the identity and heritage of the nation.

Saxena recalled that the Sindhu Darshan initiative, launched in 1997, was conceived as a visionary movement to revive and strengthen the cultural and spiritual bond of the people of India with the iconic river. Over the years, it has evolved into the Sindhu Darshan Mahakumbh, marked by greater participation and richer cultural expression.

Referring to the unique tradition of devotees bringing water from rivers across the country and ceremonially merging it with the Sindhu, he said the practice beautifully symbolises the confluence of India’s diverse identities into one unified national stream.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar