Haridwar Government-Run Hotel Cancels Christmas Celebration After Clerics Issue Warnings

A Christmas celebration scheduled to take place on the banks of the sacred River Ganga in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, has been cancelled following strong objections from Hindu religious groups and local priests. The decision has once again brought the spotlight on the cultural and religious sensitivities that define the pilgrim town, which is regarded as one of Hinduism’s holiest cities.

The event was planned at a government-run hotel located close to a prominent Ganga ghat. The hotel had promoted the Christmas programme through social media posts, announcing a festive evening planned for December 24. However, the announcement quickly drew sharp criticism from sections of the local priest community.

Several Hindu clerics questioned the appropriateness of organising a Christmas celebration on the riverbank of the Ganga, especially in a city that hosts millions of devotees each year for religious rituals, festivals, and pilgrimages. They argued that the riverfront holds deep spiritual significance and should be treated with religious restraint.

Local priest Ujjwal Pandit emerged as one of the leading voices opposing the event. He publicly objected to the programme and warned that hosting such a celebration on the Ganga’s banks violated religious customs. Pandit also threatened to stage a protest at the hotel premises if the event went ahead as planned.

Faced with mounting pressure and the possibility of demonstrations at the venue, the hotel administration decided to cancel the Christmas celebration entirely. Officials reportedly concluded that proceeding with the event could lead to unrest and disrupt public order in the sensitive religious zone.

Following the cancellation, the hotel removed all Christmas-related promotional material from its social media accounts. Videos announcing the event, earlier promotional clips, and visuals of the hotel premises have since circulated widely on local social media platforms, further fuelling public discussion.

In a brief statement, the hotel’s management confirmed that no Christmas celebrations would be held on the property. They emphasized that the decision was taken to respect local sentiments and avoid any potential conflict.

The hotel administration reiterated that there will be no Christmas-related programmes at the venue in the future, underscoring their intent to remain sensitive to the religious character of Haridwar and its surrounding sacred sites.