Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday performed a prayer ceremony and attended a religious ceremony at Parvati Kund ["Kund" is a body of sacred water] in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district.
Dressed in local garb, Modi can be seen banging the power drum and blowing through a conch shell as part of his prayer ceremony. After this, Modi also meditated at Adi Kailash, accompanied by the local priest.
Parvati Kund is 4,500 metres above sea level and near the peak of the mountain Adi Kailash.
Adi Kailash and Parvati Kund are both in the Himalayas and renowned for their natural beauty and spiritual importance.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his joy at being able to have darshan [an outpouring of unconditional love] at Aadi Kailash. He prayed for the welfare and happy life of all his countrymen,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office reads.
After performing prayers, Modi reached the small village of Gunji in the Pithoragarh district, where he was welcomed by locals and he saw an exhibition showcasing the region's art and products. He also met with Army personnel as well as members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will launch various development projects worth around INR42 billion ($500 million) and covering such sectors as rural development, road, power, irrigation, drinking water, horticulture, education, health, and disaster management.