The Uttarakhand High Court granted interim relief to Shri Ganga Sabha, allowing it to continue the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat. However, the permission comes with strict conditions on fees, vendors, and cleanliness until the next hearing.
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RISHIKESH: In a crucial interim decision, the Uttarakhand High Court has allowed Shri Ganga Sabha to continue performing the renowned Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat amid an ongoing legal dispute with the Rishikesh Municipal Corporation (RMC). The court has put the municipal restriction on hold until the next hearing on March 25, 2026, while laying down strict operational conditions.
The controversy began after the Rishikesh Municipal Corporation passed a resolution preventing Shri Ganga Sabha from conducting the daily Ganga aarti. According to the civic body, the Sabha’s official registration had expired, and therefore it lacked lawful authority to manage the ritual.
The corporation also alleged that the organisation was commercialising the aarti, claiming it charged devotees and collected money from vendors selling puja items near Triveni Ghat. Environmental concerns were another key issue, with accusations of improper disposal of flowers, oil, and other ritual waste into the Ganga.
Aggrieved by the municipal order, Shri Ganga Sabha approached the High Court, asserting that the Ganga aarti is a centuries-old religious and cultural practice deeply connected to Rishikesh’s spiritual identity. The Sabha argued that halting the ritual without warning or alternative arrangements was arbitrary and detrimental to devotees, pilgrims, and tourists.
Justice Ashish Nainthani, hearing the matter during the court’s vacation session, underlined that the Ganga aarti represents more than a religious ceremony. The court described it as an expression of India’s ancient civilisation and cultural continuity, noting that suspending such a tradition suddenly would negatively impact the public.
The court observed that discontinuing the aarti without a substitute mechanism was contrary to public interest, particularly considering the large number of people who gather daily at Triveni Ghat.
Although the High Court acknowledged that Shri Ganga Sabha does not currently hold a valid registration and therefore lacks permanent legal rights over the ritual, it still granted temporary permission to continue the aarti until further directions are issued.
Conditions Imposed for Conducting Ganga Aarti
To address the concerns raised by the municipal corporation, the court imposed several safeguards:
- No charges for devotees: Shri Ganga Sabha cannot demand any fee or donation from people attending or viewing the Ganga aarti.
- Vendor payments restricted: The organisation is barred from collecting rent or commission from shopkeepers selling religious offerings unless formal approval is obtained from the RMC.
- Cleanliness responsibility: The Sabha must ensure complete cleanliness at Triveni Ghat, including prompt removal and scientific disposal of ritual waste to prevent pollution of the Ganga River.
