<p>Varanasi witnessed a sea of saffron on Thursday as prime minister Narendra Modi held a mega roadshow on the streets of the temple town a day before filing his nomination papers from there.</p>.<p>Modi began his roadshow from the historic Lanka Gate after garlanding the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder of Banaras Hindu University (BHU).</p>.<p>Atop a specially designed vehicle, Modi waved at the crowds, which turned up in large numbers on the narrow streets of Varanasi to take part in the roadshow.</p>.<p>The six-kilometre long roadshow passed through Harishchandra Ghat, Sonarpura, Madanpura, Assi and Godaulia localities before ending on the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat on the bank of the Ganga.</p>.<p>People lined on both sides of the roads to greet Modi, who bowed his head with folded hands before the crowds. Chants of 'Modi-Modi' rented the air as his roadshow passed by different areas.</p>.<p>The BJP had made elaborate arrangements to turn the roadshow into a mega event. The saffron party had roped in fold performers from different parts of the state to present their programs during the roadshow.</p>.<p>As many as 15 types of dances representing the culture of different states were performed at the roadshow. ''The idea was to showcase the cultural variety of the country and send the message that we stand for the unity of the country,'' said a local BJP leader in Varanasi.</p>.<p>According to the local BJP leaders, 2500 kilograms of rose petals were used during the roadshow. Modi was showered with flower petals by the people throughout his roadshow.</p>.<p>Senior BJP leaders, including national party president Amit Shah, UP in-charge J.P.Nadda, union minister Ashwini Chaubey, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, were also present at the roadshow.</p>.<p>While Modi was alone in the lead vehicle, the other leaders followed him in separate vehicles.</p>.<p>The route of the prime minister was also carefully chosen to gain maximum mileage. It also included Madanpura, which was inhabited mainly by the Muslim community members, who were largely weavers. Modi was offered a shawl by the Muslims at Madanpura.</p>.<p>Modi later also took part in the Ganga Arti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.<br /> </p>
<p>Varanasi witnessed a sea of saffron on Thursday as prime minister Narendra Modi held a mega roadshow on the streets of the temple town a day before filing his nomination papers from there.</p>.<p>Modi began his roadshow from the historic Lanka Gate after garlanding the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder of Banaras Hindu University (BHU).</p>.<p>Atop a specially designed vehicle, Modi waved at the crowds, which turned up in large numbers on the narrow streets of Varanasi to take part in the roadshow.</p>.<p>The six-kilometre long roadshow passed through Harishchandra Ghat, Sonarpura, Madanpura, Assi and Godaulia localities before ending on the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat on the bank of the Ganga.</p>.<p>People lined on both sides of the roads to greet Modi, who bowed his head with folded hands before the crowds. Chants of 'Modi-Modi' rented the air as his roadshow passed by different areas.</p>.<p>The BJP had made elaborate arrangements to turn the roadshow into a mega event. The saffron party had roped in fold performers from different parts of the state to present their programs during the roadshow.</p>.<p>As many as 15 types of dances representing the culture of different states were performed at the roadshow. ''The idea was to showcase the cultural variety of the country and send the message that we stand for the unity of the country,'' said a local BJP leader in Varanasi.</p>.<p>According to the local BJP leaders, 2500 kilograms of rose petals were used during the roadshow. Modi was showered with flower petals by the people throughout his roadshow.</p>.<p>Senior BJP leaders, including national party president Amit Shah, UP in-charge J.P.Nadda, union minister Ashwini Chaubey, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, were also present at the roadshow.</p>.<p>While Modi was alone in the lead vehicle, the other leaders followed him in separate vehicles.</p>.<p>The route of the prime minister was also carefully chosen to gain maximum mileage. It also included Madanpura, which was inhabited mainly by the Muslim community members, who were largely weavers. Modi was offered a shawl by the Muslims at Madanpura.</p>.<p>Modi later also took part in the Ganga Arti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.<br /> </p>
