Ganga Utsav 2024: A Celebration at Chandi Ghat, Haridwar
The eighth edition of the Ganga Utsav, organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), will be celebrated on November 4, 2024, at Chandi Ghat in Haridwar. This year marks a special occasion as it will be the first time the festival is held on the riverbank, celebrating the Ganga River’s designation as India’s ‘National River’.
Focus and Objectives
The festival aims to connect people with the Ganga, promote its conservation, and highlight its cultural and spiritual importance. It seeks to raise public awareness about cleanliness and deepen appreciation for the river’s heritage and role in Indian civilization.
Event Highlights
The celebration will occur across 139 districts within the Ganga basin, coordinated by District Ganga Committees, with each state hosting a primary event. Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, will inaugurate the central event in Haridwar, alongside Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and other notable guests.
A key feature will be the Ganga Women Rafting Expedition, a 50-day journey organized with the Border Security Force (BSF), traveling through nine major cities and towns along the Ganga, ending at Ganga Sagar.
Activities and Sessions
The festival will include “Ganga Samvad,” discussions with spiritual and cultural leaders, and a technical session on river rejuvenation. Cultural activities like “Ghat Par Haat,” children’s quizzes, puppet shows, and Nukkad Nataks (street plays) will engage the youth in river conservation. An exhibition on Namami Gange and a small food festival will also be part of the celebrations.
Conclusion
Ganga Utsav 2024 serves as a platform for public engagement, urging collective action to protect and rejuvenate the Ganga. It highlights the river’s historical and cultural significance, encouraging efforts to restore it to its pristine state for future generations.
Doubts Revealed
Ganga Utsav -: Ganga Utsav is a festival that celebrates the Ganga River, which is very important in India for its cultural and religious significance. It is a time when people come together to appreciate and protect the river.
Chandi Ghat -: Chandi Ghat is a place located in Haridwar, a city in India. It is a special spot on the banks of the Ganga River where people often gather for religious and cultural events.
Haridwar -: Haridwar is a city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is known for being a holy city where the Ganga River flows, and many people visit for religious purposes.
National Mission for Clean Ganga -: The National Mission for Clean Ganga is a government program in India. It works to clean and protect the Ganga River, making sure it stays healthy and clean for people and nature.
Union Minister C.R. Patil -: C.R. Patil is a Union Minister in the Indian government. A Union Minister is a person who helps make important decisions for the country and is part of the government.
Ganga Women Rafting Expedition -: The Ganga Women Rafting Expedition is an event where women participate in rafting on the Ganga River. Rafting is a fun and adventurous activity where people use a special boat to travel on the river.
139 districts -: A district is an area of a state in India, like a neighborhood but much bigger. There are 139 such areas involved in the activities of the Ganga Utsav, meaning many people from different places are participating.
