The Ganga Snan Mela and Deepdaan festival have been cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. This was done by the state government after examining a joint report of the district magistrate and the superintendent of police. “A ban on the arrival of devotees has been imposed between November 25 and 30 at the mela venue on the bank of the Ganga in compliance with the order,” said Mishra. He added that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code had been imposed in the area.