Modi gifts Maha Kumbh holy Sangam water to Mauritius President; Banarasi sari to his wife

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday gifted water from the Maha Kumbh at Sangam to Mauritius President Dharam Gokhool and a Banarasi sari to his wife.

The prime minister presented the holy water from the Maha Kumbh in a brass and copper pot to Gokhool.

Modi, who arrived in Mauritius early on Tuesday on a two-day State Visit, also gave Gokhool several others gifts, including makhana—a superfood from Bihar.

The prime minister gifted a Banarasi sari in a Sadeli box to Brinda Gokhool, the wife of the Mauritian president.

The Banarasi sari is known for its fine silk, intricate brocades, and opulent zari work.

Complementing the sari was a Sadeli box from Gujarat featuring intricate inlay work, designed to store precious saris, jewellery, or keepsakes.

Before meeting President Gokhool, the prime minister met his Mauritius counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam, and both leaders planted a sapling at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden.

Earlier, the prime minister received a warm welcome at the airport upon his arrival in the country after nearly a decade. Modi last visited Mauritius in 2015.

His Mauritius counterpart Ramgoolam and other leaders gave a ceremonial welcome, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“This shows the strong relationship of India and Mauritius,” he posted on X.

After paying homage to Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Modi met the president and will participate in the State lunch, Jaiswal said.