Uttar Pradesh cancels Ganga Snan Mela, Deepdaan festival due to COVID-19

The Ganga Snan Mela and Deepdaan festival at Garhmukteshwar in Hapur district and at Hastinapur in Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh have been cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. ”

A ban on the arrival of devotees has been imposed between November 25 and 30 at the mela venue,” said Additional Superintendent of Police, Hapur, Sarvesh Mishra.

According to HT, Every year, thousands of devotees from the nearby districts of western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan arrive on the bank of the Ganga in Garhmukteshwar for ritual bathing in the river on the occasion of Kartik Purnima and offer Deepdaan for the salvation of their ancestors.

As part of Deepdaan, earthen lamps are lit and floated down the river. Mishra said barriers had been put up on the borders of the district to prevent entry of people into the Mela Sthal.