The Uttarakhand High Court has permitted the Shri Ganga Sabha to continue performing the revered Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh, while imposing conditions to regulate the ritual, emphasizing its cultural, civilisational, and public significance. The decision was delivered on Friday by a vacation bench of Justice Ashish Nainthani, taking into account the interests of the public, pilgrims, and religious sentiments.

The matter arose after the Rishikesh Municipal Corporation issued an order directing the Shri Ganga Sabha to cease the aarti. The corporation cited the expiry of the Sabha’s registration, claiming that without valid legal status, it had no right to conduct the ritual. Additional allegations of commercial exploitation and littering were also raised, highlighting concerns over environmental impact and unauthorized profiteering.

In response, the Shri Ganga Sabha filed a petition challenging the municipal order, asserting that the aarti is a longstanding cultural and religious practice integral to Rishikesh’s heritage and identity.

High Court Observations

The court acknowledged that the Sabha’s registration had indeed expired, and that it did not possess a permanent legal right to conduct the ritual. However, Justice Nainthani stressed that the Ganga aarti is not merely a religious ritual, but an ancient cultural and civilisational practice of national significance. Abruptly stopping it, the bench observed, would be against public interest and would cause inconvenience to pilgrims, tourists, and devotees.

“Stopping the aarti without providing an alternative arrangement would be wrong and disruptive,” the court noted. Accordingly, it allowed the aarti to continue temporarily until the next hearing on March 25, 2026, while staying the municipal corporation’s order restraining the Sabha from conducting the ritual.

Conditions Imposed

While permitting the aarti, the court laid down specific conditions to address public and environmental concerns:

1. No Entry Fee or Collections: The Shri Ganga Sabha is prohibited from charging devotees or collecting any donations from those wishing to participate in or observe the aarti.
2. No Unauthorized Commissions: The Sabha cannot take commissions or rents from local vendors selling flowers, lamps, or other religious items without explicit permission from the municipal corporation.
3. Responsibility for Cleanliness: Ensuring the cleanliness of the ghat will rest solely with the Sabha. Proper disposal of remnants such as flowers, camphor, and oil after the aarti is mandatory to prevent pollution of the river.

Public and Cultural Significance

The court emphasized that the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat is a centuries-old tradition that attracts devotees from across India and the world. It is not only a religious observance but also a cultural landmark that contributes to Rishikesh’s identity as a spiritual and tourism hub.

The bench noted that any sudden discontinuation could create confusion among pilgrims and tourists and disrupt the city’s longstanding heritage practices. By allowing the aarti to continue under regulated conditions, the court struck a balance between religious freedoms, public interest, and environmental responsibility.

Next Steps

The matter will next be heard on March 25, 2026, at which point the court will examine further submissions regarding the permanent arrangement for conducting the aarti. Until then, the temporary permission granted to the Shri Ganga Sabha will remain in force, ensuring that devotees can continue to participate in the ritual.

The decision reflects the court’s recognition of the intersection between law, tradition, and cultural heritage, emphasizing that administrative lapses, such as the expiry of registration, should not impede practices of historical and civilizational importance, especially when public interest and devotion are involved.

In conclusion, while the legal and administrative framework will continue to be examined in subsequent hearings, the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat remains uninterrupted, under strict conditions aimed at maintaining the purity, safety, and accessibility of the ritual for all devotees and visitors.

---