Returning to 'soft Hindutva'? Priyanka Gandhi takes a dip at holy Sangam, visits Mankameshwar Temple

Apparently returning to what many are terming as 'soft Hindutva' and a bid to shun her party's 'pro-Muslim' image, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday took a dip at the holy Triveni Sangam (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers) on the occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya' (a scared day on which millions take a dip in the holy rivers across India) at Prayagraj.

Priyanka also paid obeisance at the famous Mankameshwar Temple in the town. It is believed that the wishes of a person are fulfilled by paying obeisance at the temple. Congress president Sonia Gandhi had also visited the temple back in 2001.

Priyanka is also likely to meet Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati.

The Congress leader took the dip at the Sangam like an ordinary devotee, without any protocol, in view of the 'Mauni Amavasya' bathing. She also had a brief boat ride in the river. Clad in a maroon kurta, she also also offered coconut and flowers at the Sangam. She wore 'rudraksh beads' on her wrist.

However, she maintained a distance from the media persons and did not reply to their questions.

Earlier she offered flowers as a tribute to former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the Anand Bhavan and spent some time with the children at the orphanage there.

Read: Rahul, Priyanka advocates of soft Hindutva: CPI(M) leader

Priyanka had on Wednesday paid obeisance at the famous Shakambhari Devi Temple near Saharanpur, about 500 kilometres from here before addressing a well attended 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' there. She was there for around half an hour. She was seen carrying beads of 'rudraksha' (considered to be a sacred seed by the Hindus).

Priyanka's temple hopping and the dip at the holy Sangam has been praised by several Hindu seers, who are currently camping on the bank of the Ganga in view of the ongoing Magh Mela (an annual religious event).

''Congress may regain its past glory if its leaders keep visiting temples....former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also regularly visited temples,'' said a prominent seer after Priyanka's visit.

BJP leaders said that the temple visits by Priyanka prove that Congress is following the path shown by the saffron party.