Sushant Mishra, President of Ganga Seva Nidhi, announced that the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat will remain closed to the public during this period. Committees responsible for the Aarti at other ghats, including Sheetla Ghat and Assi Ghat, have also urged visitors and devotees to refrain from attending until February 5.
The influx of pilgrims has resulted in many being stranded at Varanasi Cantt and Banaras railway stations, with some missing their trains due to the excessive crowd. Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal has appealed to the residents of Kashi to avoid unnecessary travel and cooperate with the authorities to manage the situation.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Vidush Saxena noted that following Mauni Amavasya, there has been a significant increase in the number of devotees in Kashi. Security forces are actively patrolling the stations to maintain order. Saxena has advised devotees to postpone their visits to Varanasi until the crowd diminishes.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which commenced on January 13 and will continue until February 26, has seen a massive turnout. On January 31 alone, over 1.58 crore devotees took a dip in the holy Sangam, bringing the total number of participants to over 29.64 crore by January 30.
Local residents have expressed mixed reactions to the suspension of the Ganga Aarti. While some understand the necessity of the measure due to safety concerns, others are disappointed by the disruption of a cherished daily ritual. Shopkeepers in the area have reported a surge in sales, especially in stores selling religious items, food, and souvenirs, attributing the increase to the influx of pilgrims.