Varanasi is not just a city; it is an emotion. For millions of Hindus, a morning dip at Assi Ghat followed by the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti is a deeply spiritual milestone. But what happens when the sanctity of faith is hijacked by local mafias looking to make a quick buck?
You get the ugly reality of open extortion, right on the sacred steps of the Ganges.
The ?200 Price Tag on Devotion
A disturbing video has surfaced from Assi Ghat, exposing a blatant racket operating in broad daylight. A group of approximately 30 tourists and pilgrims were subjected to harassment and humiliation by local operators demanding ?100 to ?200 per plastic chair during the morning Aarti.
Watch the raw testimonies of the devotees here.
The testimonies are heartbreaking. These are not luxury tourists demanding VIP treatment. These are ordinary devotees, many of whom had just taken a holy bath and did not have their wallets or cash on them. The response from the local operators? “If you don’t have money, get up and leave.”
A Pattern of Apathy
One frustrated tourist perfectly summarized the collective anger: “People come with devotion, but they are looting in the name of Aarti.”
[WATCH UNCUT FOOTAGE BELOW]
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This raises a massive, glaring question about administrative complicity. Assi Ghat is one of the most heavily patrolled and high-profile tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh. How can a coordinated group of men lay out hundreds of plastic chairs, aggressively extort money from dozens of people, and throw out devotees without the local police or municipal authorities noticing?
Tourist Warning: How to Protect Yourself
- The Ghats are Public Property: No private individual has the right to force you to pay for standing or sitting on the stone steps.
- Do Not Pay Without a Receipt: If someone demands money for a chair, demand an official Varanasi Nagar Nigam receipt. If they refuse, refuse to pay.
- Involve the Police: Record the interaction and immediately dial the Varanasi Tourism Police Helpline (0542-2501111).
Where is the Administration?
Here is our complete, polished report on the incident and what needs to change.
The public has done its job by exposing the racket. Now, the ball is in the court of the Varanasi Police and the district administration. Will they crack down on this mafia and restore the dignity of the Ganga Aarti, or will devotees continue to be treated like walking ATMs?
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