Rajganj, 16th April: On Tuesday, the traditional Ashtami Ganga Snan commenced on the Karatoya River in Ambari. However, this year, the fair has been cancelled due to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
According to reports, the occasion has been organized by the Ambari Ganga Sangha Club marking the 56th year of this celebration. Traditionally, the event is accompanied by a week-long fair. However, this year the event is limited to the Ashtami bathing ceremony only due to the elections. Significantly, devotees from Ambari, Rajganj, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, and neighboring areas have been arriving since morning to participate in the Ganga Snan.
In this regard, Bablu Roy, the organizer of the Puja Committee, stated that every year, the Ashtami Snan and fair witnessed the gathering of hundreds and thousands of people. Devotees performed the Ganga Puja alongside the Ashtami Snan. However, this year, the fair could not be organized. Meanwhile, the administration has ensured all necessary security measures.
A pilgrim who had arrived for the Ganga Snan mentioned that they had been coming for the Ashtami Snan for many years with their families. Further, they visited every year in the wake of the faith that bathing with devotion would fulfill their desires. However, due to poor road conditions, the number of devotees gathered was comparatively fewer than in previous years.
