Japan PM in Varanasi: Shinzo Abe, Narendra Modi witness Ganga aarti at ghat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe attended the spectacular sunset Ganga Aarti at the fabled Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, marking a new chapter in traditional cultural ties between the two countries. (Source: Reuters)

Both the prime ministers arrived at the ghat at around 6.30 pm where they were greeted with chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' - an invocation of Lord Shiva and a traditional form of greeting people in this ancient temple town.

PM Shinzo Abe and PM Modi take a selfie as they attend the aarti. (Source: Reuters)

Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe and PM Modi witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.(Source: PIB)

The two leaders spent about 45 minutes at the Ghat in Modi's parliamentary constituency where they watched the Ganga Aarti, an exquisitely choreographed ritual performed daily on the banks of the river.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and PM Modi perform a religious ritual during evening prayers on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi. (Source: Reuters)

Abe's visit to the Ghat fully decorated with flowers assumed significance as it came against the backdrop of Partner City Agreement between Kyoto and Varanasi, signed by the two leaders during the Prime Ministers visit to Japan in August last year. (Source: Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Both leaders descended to the last step of the ghat and stood there for around 10 minutes for performing the rituals of 'abhishek' of the Ganga and Bhagirath, the king in Indian mythology credited with bringing the river to earth. (Source: Reuters)

Amid chanting of slokas, PM Modi and Abe offered flowers and a rose garland on the banks of the river. (Source: Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

A fully decorated Dashashwamedh Ghat where the Japanese premier and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the world famous Ganga aarti on Saturday evening. (Source: PTI)

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was received by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Naik on his arrival at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. (Source: PIB)

Referring to the visit of Japanese PM Abe to the state (Varanasi), Akhilesh Yadav said as his country is regarded as the 'land of the rising sun', India and Uttar Pradesh are known the world over as "land of Buddha", "Land of Ram, Krishna and Shiva" and the "land of the Taj". (Source: PIB)

Both Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe were traditionally welcomed with an orchestra of dhols, shehnai and dungchen. They reached the Babatpur Airport on the outskirts of the city around 4.30 pm on Saturday. (Source: PIB)

The temple town, also Modi’s parliamentary constituency, welcomed Abe with cultural extravaganza and traditional classical music. They were welcomed with a shehnai recital by President award winner Ikhlaq Hussain and his brother Zakir. (Source: PIB)