On Banks of Ganga, A New Chapter Of Indo-Japan Friendship: 5 Pics

As part of his 3-day visit, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Ganga Aarti along with PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh today.

Japan's Shinzo Abe and PM Modi share the dais as they attend the ritual on the banks of the River Ganga in Varanasi. (Agence France-Presse photo)

Both the leaders perform Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. (Agence France-Presse photo)
Priests chant Sanskrit verses as both the leaders perform rituals. Varanasi is also the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(Associated Press photo)
The nearly two-hour programme was seen as strengthening of cultural bonds between the two nations. (Agence France-Presse photo)

Nearly 7,000 security personnel were pressed into service for the high-profile visit, which lasted around four hours. (Agence France-Presse photo)