Modi to take part in Ganga aarti on May 17

Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Varanasi the day after the election results are declared on Friday, to fulfill his wish to take part in Ganga aarti and perform Ganga poojan. Also on his itinerary is a visit to Kashi Vishwanath temple.

River Ganga is said to be close to Modi’s heart. Like the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat, he has planned a complete makeover for Kashi’s ghats.

The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate had scheduled Ganga aarti during his last election rally in Varanasi on May 8. But he cancelled it after the Election Commission denied him permission to hold a rally at Beniyabagh.

Party workers, meanwhile, have planned a grand welcome ceremony for Modi – billed as Vijay Utsav – in defiance of the state government’s ban on victory processions. Drummers in tow, they plan to assemble in small groups at every nook and corner of the temple town. Display of fireworks and distribution of sweets are also in the offing.

Modi, expected to win from two parliamentary constituencies, is likely to retain Varanasi and give up Vadodara in Gujarat.