BY PC Bureau
June 23: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday participated in the inaugural Sindhu Kumbh on the banks of the sacred Indus River, describing the event as a celebration of India’s civilisational heritage, spiritual traditions and national unity.
The six-day festival, being held from June 22 to 27 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra, has drawn thousands of devotees, spiritual leaders, scholars, cultural representatives and international dignitaries to Leh.
The event was attended by ambassadors and high commissioners from eight countries — Fiji, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, Chile and Ireland — underscoring its growing international profile.
Addressing the gathering, Saxena highlighted the civilisational significance of the Indus River, describing it as one of the oldest rivers in human history and the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilisation. He noted that the river occupies a revered place in India’s collective consciousness and that the country’s very name traces its origins to “Sindhu”.
Hon’ble @lg_ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena participated in the Sindhu Darshan Mahakumbh 2026 at Leh, joined by Ambassadors, High Commissioners, spiritual leaders, scholars, pilgrims and visitors from across India and the world.
The sacred Sindhu River, cradle of the Indus… pic.twitter.com/RfgDQUV5Lb
— Lok Niwas Ladakh (@LokNiwasLadakh) June 23, 2026
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Recalling the launch of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra in 1997, the Lieutenant Governor said the initiative was conceived to strengthen the cultural and spiritual bond between Indians and the sacred river. Over the years, he said, it has evolved into a larger cultural and spiritual movement with nationwide participation.
Saxena described the tradition of devotees bringing water from rivers across the country and merging it with the Sindhu as a powerful symbol of India’s unity in diversity.
Embodying ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’
The Lieutenant Governor said the Sindhu Darshan Mahakumbh reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” by bringing together people from diverse linguistic, cultural and regional backgrounds to celebrate a shared civilisational heritage.
Emphasising the ecological importance of the Indus, Saxena said spirituality and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand, particularly in Ladakh’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
“At a time when climate change and environmental degradation are threatening fragile Himalayan ecosystems, spirituality must go hand in hand with sustainability. True reverence for nature must translate into conscious and responsible actions. Rivers must be treated as living entities deserving our respect, protection and mindful care,” he said.
He called for responsible tourism, conservation of water resources and protection of Ladakh’s unique biodiversity. According to Saxena, Ladakh is steadily emerging as a model for sustainable tourism and spiritual heritage, with events such as the Sindhu Darshan Mahakumbh boosting the local economy, promoting indigenous culture and enhancing the region’s global profile.
Vision for a Global Spiritual Gathering
The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that the Sindhu Darshan Mahakumbh could evolve into a globally recognised spiritual congregation and serve as a platform for intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Reaffirming the Union Territory Administration’s commitment to environmentally sensitive development, he urged governments, local communities, cultural institutions and visitors to work together to make the event a model of inclusivity, sustainability and responsible celebration.
Saxena also highlighted Ladakh’s ban on single-use plastics and littering, appealing to visitors to preserve the sanctity and cleanliness of the Sindhu River and its surroundings.
In a symbolic gesture, the Lieutenant Governor immersed water collected from water bodies in 156 countries into the Indus River, underscoring the river’s universal civilisational and spiritual significance.
