Haridwar, Dec. 22 -- Teerth purohits and members of the Ganga Sabha have objected to a Christmas celebration proposed at a hotel adjoining a Ganga ghat in Haridwar, claiming it offends the religious sentiments of Hindu devotees at one of the country's most sacred pilgrimage sites. The row centres on a Christmas-themed event scheduled for December 24 at Bhagirathi Hotel, a property owned by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and operated on lease. The priests allege that pamphlets and online advertisements for the event are already in circulation. Ganga Sabha secretary Ujjwal Pundit said the hotel lies close to the Ganga ghat and within roughly 1.5 km of Brahmakund at Har-ki-Pauri, described by him as the sanctum sanctorum of Haridwar. "Our main objection is how a festival of another religion can be celebrated at a hotel located adjacent to the Ganga ghat and so close to Har-ki-Pauri. Haridwar is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage centre visited by millions of devotees every year. Such activities hurt the sentiments of Sanatan Dharma," Punditsaid. He warned that priests and Ganga Sabha members would stage a protest if the programme was not cancelled. "This area falls in the core mela zone. Allowing such events here amounts to hurting and threatening the religious character of the place," he added. Organisers have defended the event, titled Experience Christmas, describing it as a private celebration confined to the hotel premises. Promotional materials highlight live music, a DJ night, Santa Claus-themed activities, cupcake-making, pine tree painting and views of the Ganga aarti....