The Ganga Seva Nidhi management has announced that the daily Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat will remain closed to the general public until February 5 due to an overwhelming influx of devotees.
The move comes as lakhs of pilgrims continue to pour into the holy city, causing logistical and safety concerns.
"In the past few days, the footfall has been extraordinary, making it difficult to manage the crowd at Dashashwamedh Ghat during Aarti. To ensure the safety of devotees and maintain order, we have decided to restrict public entry temporarily," said Vishwajeet Tripathi, an official of Ganga Seva Nidhi.
Similar appeals have been made by committees organising Ganga Aarti at Sheetla Ghat and Assi Ghat, urging people to cooperate with authorities.
The massive influx of visitors has created challenges for local residents, many of whom are struggling with traffic congestion, overcrowded markets, and restricted movement in the ghats area.
"We understand the religious sentiments, but the sheer number of people has made it difficult for us to even step out of our homes. Roads are choked, public transport is unreliable, and prices of essentials have gone up due to high demand," said Anil Pandey, a resident of Godowlia.
Local shopkeepers, however, have reported a surge in sales, especially in shops selling religious items, food, and souvenirs. "This is the busiest we have seen the city in recent years. While it brings business, it also creates challenges," said Ramesh Gupta, a shop owner near Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Many pilgrims, who traveled long distances to experience the Ganga Aarti, have expressed disappointment at the closure."I came all the way from Maharashtra with my family just to witness the Aarti. It's unfortunate that we won't be able to see it this time. Watching the Ganga Aarti on TV is nothing compared to being here in person," said Sunita Patil, a devotee from Mumbai.Another pilgrim, Rajesh Kumar from Bihar, who had planned his visit months in advance, said, "We were not aware of the closure before arriving. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and missing it is heartbreaking."
Authorities have assured that online streaming of the Ganga Aarti will continue, allowing devotees worldwide to witness the spiritual spectacle.
Record-breaking footfall at Vindhyachal and Ayodhya
The impact of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has been felt across major religious sites in Uttar Pradesh, with pilgrim numbers surging in Vindhyachal Dham and Ayodhya. On the first day of Gupt Navratri, more than 10 lakh devotees thronged Maa Vindhyavasini temple, breaking all previous records. "We have never seen such a crowd before, and managing such a large number of devotees is a challenge," said a senior temple official.
Similarly, Ayodhya, which has been witnessing an unprecedented rush of devotees since the Pran Pratistha of Ram Lalla at the newly built Ram Janmabhoomi temple, saw over 25 lakh visitors in a single day.
