Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027: Uttarakhand may ban non-Hindus from entering Ganga ghats
Given the yearly pilgrimage of more than five crore pilgrims and major events like the 2027 ‘Ardh Kumbh’, the ‘Kanwar Yatra’ and the Ganga Corridor project, the need for stringent measures to keep crowds in check and sanctity preserved is very much a given.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) January 6: The Uttarakhand government is said to put forward strict regulations on non-Hindus entering the Ganga ghats in Haridwar in advance of the upcoming ‘Ardh Kumbh’ Mela in January 2027.
Proposal linked to crowd management
It is reported that the government is also weighing the possibility of imposing the ban at around 105 ghats stretching across the 120-square-kilometre zone of Haridwar. Formal submission of the proposal was made to the government by authorities of Shri Ganga Sabha.
Annually, more than five crore pilgrims visit Haridwar and large-scale happenings such as the 2027 ‘Ardh Kumbh’, the ‘Kanwar Yatra’ and the Ganga Corridor project all serve to illustrate the need for stringent measures to control pilgrimage and sanctity.
CM Dhami says state will protect Devbhoomi’s ‘Sanatan’ identity.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has indicated in recent statements that these discussions have been taken into account. The state government is considering declaring Haridwar and Rishikesh as ‘Sanatan Holy Cities’. The Chief Minister stressed these twin cities are central to Sanatan tradition, drawing millions of tourists every year.
CM Dhami said, "Our govt will take every necessary step to protect the unique spiritual and cultural identity of Devbhoomi. The Himalayan state is the centre of faith for sanatan believers."
Govt reviews 1916 Malviya-British pact
It is also said that the govt is beginning an expedition into the details about the 1916 agreement between Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, a Bharat Ratna recipient, and the British. Malviya was the initial president of the Ganga Sabha.
The 1916 agreement was aimed at maintaining the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga and preserving the sanctity of the pilgrimage city, and it included a restriction on entry for non-Hindus at Ganga ghats.
It also stated that non-Hindus could not stay permanently in either religious towns (Rishikesh and Haridwar) and could only come to work and return after work.
Shri Ganga Sabha urges ban on non-Hindus entry
Shri Ganga Sabha, which manages and works in both Har Ki Pauri and surrounding Ganga ghats, in Haridwar also wanted the Uttarakhand government on Sunday to declare the Kumbh Mela area into restricted areas before the Ardh Kumbh in 2027.
Shri Ganga Sabha President Nitin Gautam said, "It is the need of the hour that before the upcoming Kumbh, the entry of non-Hindus should be banned at all Ganga ghats and religious places in the Kumbh Mela area."
