Lucknow, Nov 8 (IANS): With barely a week left for the final Ayodhya verdict, the annual Lucknow Mahotsav that is held every year from November 25 to December 5, has been postponed to the third week of January.

The Mahotsav Samiti decided in its meeting held on Thursday that the Mahotsav should be postponed. Though the Samiti did not give any reasons for the postponement, sources said that this had been done in view of the impending Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute.

Two years ago too, the Mahotsav, which is a calendar event, had been postponed to January in view of the civic polls held in the state.

The Lucknow Mahotsav is a major attraction for people living in Lucknow and in adjoining districts. Artisans, craftsmen from various parts of Uttar Pradesh as well as other states participate in the Mahotsav where they display and sell their wares.

A cultural programme is organized along side where top regional and Bollywood artists perform.