Mahakumbh 20225: Ganga Aarti Halted At Varanasi Ghats Till February 5

In view to recent stampede incidents and to control devotees coming to Mahakumbh, Uttar Pradesh authorities have issued new guidelines and directions recently for a smooth conduct of the mass gathering. Today, UP officials ordered to halt the Ganga Aarti at Varanasi ghats for the public due to overwhelming crowd from Mahakumbh.

According to the reports, the restrictions on Ganga Aarti will remain in force till February 5, 2025.

Many devotees, returning from the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, remain stranded at Varanasi Cantt and Banaras railway stations.

Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal requested local residents to assist devotees, who missed their trains or busses and are in need of help.

The President of Ganga Seva Nidhi, Sushant Mishra, made the official announcement of restrictions on Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat for public.

Committees responsible for aartis at Sheetla Ghat, Assi Ghat, and other locations have also requested visitors and devotees to refrain from attending until then.

As claimed by Uttar Pradesh leaders, over 31 crore people have taken dip in the holy Ganga river at Triveni Sangam till January 31. The Mahakumbh began on January 13 and will continue until February 26.

Vehicle Entry Clarifications

Regarding claims about vehicle entry restrictions in Prayagraj, DM Ravindra Kumar Mandar clarified there are no such restrictions on January 31, February 1, or February 4. The divergence scheme is only active on February 2 and 3.

"A news is viral on social media that the entry of vehicles in Prayagraj will be restricted till February 4. This news is completely baseless. The divergent scheme was implemented only for the peak day of Mauni Amavasya. Now, almost all the devotees are returning and the scheme of divergence is being removed by the police," he said.