Messi participates in traditional rituals during Vantara visit

Messi received a traditional welcome featuring folk music, floral offerings and a ceremonial aarti. He later took part in temple rituals, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for peace and unity.

Jamnagar:  Football icon Lionel Messi visited Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre founded by Anant Ambani. During the visit, Messi participated in traditional Hindu rituals, observed wildlife and interacted with caregivers and conservation teams, reflecting the centre’s cultural ethos rooted in reverence for nature.

Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, received a traditional welcome featuring folk music, floral offerings and a ceremonial aarti. He later took part in temple rituals, including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja and Shiv Abhishek, offering prayers for peace and unity.

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The footballer toured Vantara’s conservation facilities housing rescued big cats, elephants, herbivores, reptiles and fostered animals from various regions. He also visited the green energy and refinery complexes, expressing admiration for their scale and vision.

At the animal care centres, Messi observed wildlife thriving under specialised veterinary care and interacted with animals in naturalistic environments. He visited the multi speciality wildlife hospital, witnessed ongoing medical procedures and later fed several animals, including giraffes, rhinos and elephants.

Messi also toured the Foster Care Centre for orphaned animals and praised India’s efforts in wildlife conservation. Anant Ambani and Radhika Ambani named a lion cub Lionel in his honour.

A key moment of the visit occurred at the Elephant Care Centre, where Messi interacted with a rescued elephant calf, Maniklal, during a football enrichment activity. The visit concluded with traditional rituals symbolising goodwill and auspicious beginnings.

Messi later praised Vantara’s work in animal rescue and care, calling the experience memorable and expressing interest in visiting again.