Varanasi: The district administration has begun preparations for the upcoming Ganga Mahotsav and Dev Deepawali celebrations, with officials reviewing arrangements for the major cultural and spiritual events.Ganga Mahotsav will be held from Nov 20 to 23, followed by Dev Deepawali on Nov 24. On Tuesday, divisional commissioner S Rajalingam chaired a meeting to review the preparations for the events.The main Ganga Mahotsav event will be held at Rajghat, while other programmes are scheduled at Namo Ghat and Rajghat. Rajalingam directed all departments concerned to complete arrangements within the stipulated time and ensure the celebrations are organised on a grand and well-coordinated scale.He said the two events were closely linked to Varanasi’s cultural and spiritual identity and attracted large numbers of devotees and tourists from across India and abroad. Officials were asked to prioritise public convenience, security and traffic management.Rajalingam also directed officials to provide platforms to local artists and cultural talent. He asked them to coordinate with public representatives to identify local performers and give prominence to winners of the Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav and students of the Gurukul near Rajghat.Departments were also instructed to promote local products, including ODOP items, by setting up stalls at prominent ghats and hotels.The meeting reviewed arrangements for ghat cleanliness, lighting, decoration, security, traffic and parking, electricity, drinking water, medical facilities, fire safety and tourist amenities.Rajalingam directed all departments to work in coordination and prepare a detailed action plan. The municipal corporation was asked to complete silt cleaning at the ghats before the celebrations. He stressed the need for adequate deployment of police and security personnel in view of the expected crowds and called for special attention to cleanliness at ghats and other major locations.The commissioner said the celebrations should effectively showcase Varanasi’s culture, art, music and spiritual traditions. He warned officials against negligence and directed them to regularly review the progress of preparations.DM Satyendra Kumar, chief development officer Prakhar Kumar, DCP Traffic Anil Kumar Yadav, VDA secretary Ved Prakash, ADM City Rajesh Kumar and ADM Protocol Vinay Singh were present at the meeting, among others.
