And that’s how the World Cultural Festival ended

Workers assembling a pontoon bridge across the Yamuna. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Updated on: Mar 15, 2016 12:51 AM IST

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Workers assembling a pontoon bridge across the Yamuna. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

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The festival has been mired in controversy, with environmental activists saying it has damaged the delicate ecosystem of the Yamuna. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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The National Green Tribunal has ordered AoL to pay a Rs 5 crore fine for damage caused to the environment. AoL founder, Ravi Shankar, had earlier refused to pay. (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

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A stadium being erected for the World Culture Festival. Organisers claim that 300,000 people visited over the three days the festival was on. (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

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Workers pause while putting the finishing touches to a decorative elephant. (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

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The preparation work being carried out for the World Cultural Festival organized by Art of Living an organization on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Bank of River Yamuna. (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

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Heavy rain on all three days failed to dispel the crowds, as well as the controversy. (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

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Dancers and entertainers begin rehearsals for the opening of the World Culture Festival. (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

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The Art of Living foundation had claimed in its promotional literature that 35 lakh people would come from 155 countries. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Water logging after heavy rain at World culture festival. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Artists during the World culture festival. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar share a few words before the PM addresses the crowd at the WCF. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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The Art of Living organized World Culture Festival was held on the bank of Yamuna amid controversy. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on stage with home minister Rajnath Singh during the second day of the festival. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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Followers perform rituals during the second day of world culture Festival at Yamuna River Bank. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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Artists from Maharashtra perform a traditional art form, Dhangari at World Cultural Festival on Yamuna river banks. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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Artists perform during the 2nd day of World Culture Festival at Yamuna River Bank. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

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Artists perform a folk dance during the World culture Festival on Yamuna river banks. (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

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Artists perform during the 2nd day of world culture Festival at Yamuna River Bank. (Ravi Choudhary/HT Photo)

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The Art of Living organized World Culture Festival was held on the bank of Yamuna amid controversy in New Delhi. (Sonu Mehta/HT Photo)

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The heavy rainfall made travelling to the festival a problem, but it failed to dampen the spirits of the attendees. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Bad conditions during the World Culture Festival in New Delhi, India, on Sunday. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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The Art of Living organized World Culture Festival was held on the bank of Yamuna amid controversy. (Sonu Mehta/HT Photo)

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Artists during the World Culture Festival. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Artists during the World Culture Festival. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Artists during the World Culture Festival. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressing the press conference during the World Culture Festival. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ,Sumitra Mahahjan, Amit Shah , Arun Jaitley, Arvind Kejriwal and other dignitaries during the World Culture Festival on the banks of Yamuna River. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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Japanese artists perform during the World Culture Festival. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo)

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People throw garbage in the over flooded bins after the end of 3 day World Cultural Festival on the banks of Yamuna. (Arun Sharma/Hindustan Times)