Uttar Pradesh government suspends Ganga Arti in Varanasi amid Coronavirus outbreak

In view of rapid spread of vel coronavirus, Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday suspended ceremonial Ganga Arti at ghats in Varanasi. total number of cases in Uttar Pradesh has risen to 16.

Every evening, Ganga Aarti is performed at three holy cities of Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi in India. An aarti is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering. It's usually made in form of a lit lamp, and in case of Ganges River, a small diya with a candle and flowers that are floated down river. offering is made to Goddess Ganga, also affectionately referred to as Maa Ganga, goddess of holiest river in India. 

READ | NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar Summoned In Bhima Koregaon Violence Case

Earlier on Wednesday, famous Mata Vaish Devi Yatra has been closed. Operations of all inter-state buses both incoming and outcoming from Jammu and Kashmir has been banned Wednesday onwards. This was confirmed by Department of Information and Public Relations. yatra is usually open throughout year, but w joins a growing list of religious places and yatras that are being temporarily closed on account of Coronavirus outbreak. 

READ | Nawab Malik Takes A Jibe At Fmr CJI Gogoi Over RS mination, Calls It 'very Unfortunate'

Coronavirus in India

As of date, total number of positive cases in India has reached 148, as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Along with it, three deaths have been reported in Kalaburagi, West Delhi and Mumbai respectively. India has suspended all visas, barring for a few categories such as diplomatic and employment apart from keeping in abeyance visa-free travel facility to OCI cardholders till April 15.

Moreover, Centre has “strongly advised” Indians to avoid all n-essential travel abroad. government is also monitoring all suspected cases and has issued preventive advisories. Earlier on Saturday, Central Government decided to treat deadly virus as a "tified disaster". Various state governments have issued ir own advisories, ranging from work-from-home recommendations to closures of schools and colleges. 

READ | Amid Coronavirus outbreak, PM Modi Shares Guidelines On Home Quarantine

READ | Negative For Coronavirus, BJP's Suresh Prabhu Enters Self-quarantine Post Saudi Visit