Ganga Aarti at Varansi Halted till 5th Feb, 2025 due to Over Crowding
Ganges Aarti in Varanasi postponed till February 5 due to crowding
Varanasi, one of India’s holiest cities, has long been a popular destination for spiritual seekers and pilgrims. Among the numerous classical rituals of Varanasi, the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is a highlight event that attracts thousands of pilgrims every evening. However, due to the huge number of pilgrims, the Ganga Aarti has been temporarily postponed for the general public till February 5, 2025.
The decision was taken by the Ganga Seva Nidhi, which oversees the Ganges Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. According to a statement, the Ganges celebration will not be available for the public due to unforeseen issues caused by the huge crowd. This decision has been echoed by other Ganga Aarti committees at various ghats, including Shitala Ghat and Assi Ghat, all of which have requested that pilgrims refrain from visiting them for the time being.
Huge Amount of Crowd gathered at Varanasi
The ongoing Maha Kumbh has led to a significant increase in the number of people in Varanasi. The city has seen an extraordinary number of tourists, particularly since Makar Sankranti, and the situation worsened during the Mauni Amavasya festivities. Ganga Seva Samiti president Sushant Mishra said that the daily crowd has grown to inconceivable dimensions, making it impossible to regulate the huge number of devotees.
He said, “The crowd is so tight that there is no space to even set foot. The situation is dire not only at the ghats but also at Godaulia Chowk where traffic congestion has led to a jam. The strain at the ghats is beyond the capacity, making it more difficult to manage.”
Sushant Mishra went on to say that even at events like Dev Deepawali, which attracts a huge number of people, a situation like this has never occurred before. Given the size of the crowd, officials are concerned about security and are keen to avoid any unfortunate incident.
Request to pilgrims
In reaction to the current circumstances, Ganga Seva Samiti has issued an appeal to all devotees and visitors visiting Varanasi. They have requested them to take a dip at the Triveni Sangam as part of the ongoing Maha Kumbh and then travel directly to their destinations instead of visiting the ghats for the Aarti.
Sushant Mishra further said that after the Maha Kumbh is over and the crowd situation has stabilised, the Ganga Aarti will resume its regular schedule. Till then, officials have encouraged devotees to organise their travels appropriately and return to Varanasi when the situation is safer and more controllable.
Increase in number of pilgrims during Maha Kumbh.
The Maha Kumbh has seen a significant increase in the number of pilgrims in Varanasi, and the city has become a hub for religious tourism during this time. The increase in the number of pilgrims has not only disrupted the ghats but has also led to chaotic traffic in other areas of the city, especially in Ayodhya and Varanasi during peak periods like Mauni Amavasya.
With the increase in tourists, local governments are trying their best to address the problem. However, the sheer number of people has shown that the infrastructure is under severe pressure. The request to stop the Ganga Aarti is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of both devotees and the surrounding community.
While the Ganga Aarti is an important element of the spiritual experience in Varanasi, a brief pause is required to ensure the safety of pilgrims. The decision by the Ganga Seva Samiti reflects the realities of handling large crowds on such important occasions. Devotees are encouraged to visit the city when the footfall has subsided and to stay informed about when the Aarti festival will resume.
Until then, the holy city of Varanasi will continue to attract pilgrims, but in a more restricted and safe environment.
