Authorities in Varanasi have stopped the Ganga Aarti performed at the ghats of the holy city for the general public till February 5 due to the overwhelming surge of people thanks to Maha Kumbh 2025.

Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal appealed to the people of the city not to leave their houses unnecessarily and to cooperate with devotees. The committees performing Ganga Aarti at Sheetla Ghat, Assi Ghat and other ghats have also appealed to the general public, visitors and devotees not to come for it till February 5.

A large number of devotees returning from the Maha Kumbh are still stranded at the Varanasi Cantonment and Banaras railway stations. Several devotees said that they could not catch their train due to the excessive crowd.

Rajat Singh, a night shelter manager, said the shelter was built especially to cater to the passengers coming for the Maha Kumbh. Though one can stay for a night there, there is no food arrangement, he said.

Cantonment Assistant Commissioner of Police Vidush Saxena said that ever since the Mauni Amavasya, the influx of devotees has increased in Kashi. He said security forces are constantly patrolling the station.

(With inputs from multiple news agencies)