Court Decision Upheld: Ganga Aarti at Rishikesh's Triveni Ghat Continues Amid Controversy

The Uttarakhand High Court has permitted the continuation of the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh, under conditions. Issues arose after the local government's attempt to stop the ritual, citing expired registration and claims of exploitation. The court emphasized the ritual's cultural significance, insisting it persists temporarily.

The Uttarakhand High Court has ruled in favor of allowing the Shri Ganga Sabha to continue conducting the Ganga aarti at the renowned Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh, despite an order to halt the ritual due to claims of expired registration and alleged commercialization.

The vacation bench, led by Justice Ashish Nainthani, highlighted the importance of protecting the aarti, a key cultural and spiritual tradition, noting the immense inconvenience its abrupt cessation could cause to both pilgrims and tourists.

The court imposed conditions to ensure the ritual aligns with public interest, prohibiting monetary charges for participation, and tasked Shri Ganga Sabha with maintaining cleanliness to protect the sacred Ganges from pollution.

(With inputs from agencies.)