Mamata to introduce Varanasi-Style Ganga Aarti in Kolkata!

The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has expressed a desire to hold a Ganga Aarti in Kolkata along the lines of Varanasi. On Monday, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee instructed Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim to make preparations for the Ganga Aarti in the City of Joy as well, apparently following the footsteps of her Uttar Pradesh counterpart, Yogi Adityanath.

Bengal CM expressed her desire at a meeting with senior officials. As per media reports, Mamta Banerjee expressed her wish during a meeting. She reportedly asked to find a place where the "Ganga Aarti" can be performed. She gave examples of numerous places, including Uttar Pradesh, where these Ganga Aartis are held. She instructed the officials to find a safe place for the Ganga Arti.

During an administrative meeting on Monday at the state secretariat, the chief minister made these remarks to officials. The meeting was also attended by Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, who also serves as state minister.

"I would like this to be proposed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Two years might be needed. A location where there is a temple nearby with seating facilities" she added.

The TMC Chief visited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency in March this year to support the Samajwadi Party in the Uttar Pradesh elections. During her two day visit, she also attended the "Ganga Aarti" at the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi.

According to a senior official, a Ganga Aarti is held near Ramkrishnapur Ghat in Howrah district across the Hooghly, a distributary of the Ganges.