Delhi CM Rekha Gupta performs Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, visits Mirzapur temple
Synopsis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's one-day tour of Varanasi and Mirzapur blended devotion with political optics — a Ganga Aarti cruise on the ghats, a stop at one of UP's most revered Shakti shrines, and an effusive BJP welcome at every turn. For a newly installed Delhi CM, the visit reads as both a personal pilgrimage and a careful alignment with the BJP's cultural brand in the Hindi heartland.
Key Takeaways
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta participated in Ganga Aarti from a cruise in Varanasi on 18 July .
She was accorded a grand reception by BJP leaders at Varanasi airport .
Gupta travelled to Mirzapur , where she offered prayers at Maa Vindhyavasini Dham .
BJP workers lined the route from Varanasi to Mirzapur to greet her.
The temple management committee presented her with a painting of Maa Vindhyavasini .
Gupta shared multiple posts on X acknowledging the welcomes and her prayers.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday, 18 July participated in the Ganga Aarti from a cruise on the ghats of Varanasi, offering prayers and performing rituals for Maa Ganga in the holy city. The visit forms part of a broader religious and political outreach across Uttar Pradesh.
Grand Welcome in Varanasi
On her arrival, Rekha Gupta received a warm reception from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders at Varanasi airport. Acknowledging the welcome, she posted on X: 'Heartfelt thanks from the depths of my heart to the BJP family members for the warm welcome and affection at Varanasi Airport.'
She also paid tribute to the spiritual significance of the city, describing Kashi as 'the capital of the Sanatan faith' and a symbol of India's cultural heritage and development. 'May Baba Vishwanath's blessings remain upon all,' she added.
Journey to Mirzapur and Vindhyavasini Dham
Travelling onward to Mirzapur, Gupta was received by BJP workers at multiple points along the route. She acknowledged the outpouring on X, saying the affection of party colleagues 'infuses the resolve to serve the public with even greater energy and inspiration.'
At Mirzapur, she visited the Maa Vindhyavasini Dham, one of the most revered Shakti shrines in northern India, where she performed worship and rituals. 'This sacred abode of the world's mother has been a divine centre of faith, power, and unwavering devotion since time immemorial. May Maa's grace always remain upon everyone,' she said in a post on X.
Temple Honours and Symbolic Gesture
The temple management committee presented Gupta with a painting of the presiding deity, Maa Vindhyavasini, which she gratefully acknowledged. The gesture underscores the cultural and institutional significance attached to her visit by local religious bodies.
Significance of the Visit
The twin-city visit — covering Varanasi, the constituency closely associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Shakti-pith of Mirzapur — carries both devotional and political resonance. For a chief minister who took charge of Delhi earlier this year, such outreach into Uttar Pradesh's religious heartland signals an effort to consolidate the BJP's cultural identity across state boundaries. The Ganga Aarti at Varanasi, in particular, has become a high-visibility ritual for national BJP leaders in recent years.
Point of View
Projecting a devout, pan-Hindu identity beyond her own state serves a dual purpose: it reinforces personal credibility within the party's ideological framework and keeps her visible on the national stage. What the visit does not address, and what Delhi voters will eventually ask, is how that spiritual energy translates into governance outcomes back home.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta visit Varanasi?
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Varanasi on 18 July to participate in the Ganga Aarti from a cruise and offer prayers to Maa Ganga. She was also welcomed by BJP leaders at the airport as part of her Uttar Pradesh tour.
Which temple did Rekha Gupta visit in Mirzapur?
Rekha Gupta visited Maa Vindhyavasini Dham in Mirzapur, one of the most prominent Shakti shrines in northern India. She performed worship and rituals there, praying for the well-being of all.
What did Rekha Gupta say about Varanasi?
She described Kashi as 'the capital of the Sanatan faith' and a powerful symbol of India's cultural heritage and development. She credited the city's transformation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and sought Baba Vishwanath's blessings for all.
Did Rekha Gupta receive any gifts during her visit?
Yes, the temple management committee at Maa Vindhyavasini Dham in Mirzapur presented her with a painting of the presiding deity, which she gratefully acknowledged.
How did BJP workers receive Rekha Gupta during her UP tour?
BJP workers gave Gupta a grand welcome at Varanasi airport and lined the route from Varanasi to Mirzapur to greet her. She acknowledged their affection in multiple posts on X, saying it inspired her to serve the public with greater energy.
