"Maha Kumbh" takes toll on marriages

The recent order of the district administration putting a ban on the use of marriage halls, guest houses and banquet halls for marriage and other ceremonial occasional purposes on the "sahi-snan" days at "Maha Kumbh -2019" has left residents of Prayagraj in the lurch.

According to the order by the district administration, the ban is also applicable a day ahead and after the "sahi-snan" on January 15 and on 21, February 4, 10 and 19 and on March 4. The order has been issued in wake of a large number of devotees arriving in the city on "sahi-snan" days for taking the holy dip.

As most of the marriage halls and guest houses have already been booked for marriages, the families are left in a lurch after the order and are running from pillar to post for getting relief but to no avail.

"My daughter marriage is on February 9 and the date was finalised by pandit after seeing all the 'graha' and 'nakshtra'. Now the owner of the guest house has asked me to take my advance back but what I will do with it," said Manoj Goswami, a resident. He said that administration and state government must resolve the problem at priority basis.

While guest house owners asserted that they are facing the wrath of those who have booked the halls as most of them are adamant and not ready for taking the advance back and to cancel their bookings.

"The bookings have been done eight months back while we received the notice on 15 November. Some have taken back their advance but some people are not ready to accept it," said Sudhir Aggarwal, owner of Kamal Bhawan Guest House.

Various 'Akhada Parishads' are also not happy with the administration's decision as the people are also approaching them with their grievances. Aggrieved people and Akhada-Parishads have also approached the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minister Nand Gopal Gupta, for redressal of their grievances.

"In order to maintain peace, law and order and in view of traffic management it is expected that one day ahead of the major 'snan' days and one day after them, the aforesaid guest house, marriage halls and banquet halls should not be booked for marriages or for other ceremonial occasions," read the order of Additional District Magistrate (City) .