Haridwar: This year’s Kanwar Mela in Haridwar has set a new record in terms of the number of devotees. From the beginning of the month of Sawan until the conclusion of the Kanwar Mela, around 4.80 crore Kanwariyas visited the holy city. Large numbers of Shiva devotees took a holy dip at Har Ki Pauri and other Ganga ghats, filled containers with Gangajal and departed for their destinations. According to officials, the final figure could increase further.
Following the successful organisation of the Kanwar Mela, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit and Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar visited Har Ki Pauri, where they offered prayers and performed aarti to Maa Ganga. The two officials then visited the Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple in Kankhal, where they performed jalabhishek of Lord Shiva and prayed for the prosperity and well-being of the state.
During the fair, a continuous flow of devotees was witnessed at major Ganga ghats, including Har Ki Pauri, as well as in Kankhal, Jwalapur and surrounding areas. During the final days, the increasing number of Kanwariyas travelling through the Dak Kanwar route also led to increased traffic pressure on national highways and major roads.
Security and Traffic Management Remained a Major Challenge
During the Kanwar Mela, crowd control, traffic management and the safety of devotees remained major challenges for the police and administration. Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar said separate parking arrangements had been made for Dak Kanwar vehicles and smaller vehicles. The Bairagi Camp parking area was operated according to designated timings and capacity limits. Describing the return journey of Dak Kanwar pilgrims as a major challenge, he said it was managed systematically under a robust plan.
District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said that large numbers of Kanwariyas had arrived in Haridwar over a period of around 15 days and that all departments worked in coordination. He said the role of the police department was particularly important. He added that the Chief Minister had also continuously reviewed arrangements for the Kanwar Mela and that preparations were carried out in accordance with the instructions received.
The District Magistrate said the Kanwar Mela had provided several important experiences and lessons. These would be taken into account to further improve preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.
Around 4.48 crore Kanwariyas had visited Haridwar last year. This year’s figure has surpassed that number. According to officials, once the final consolidated figures are released, the number of devotees is expected to cross the five-crore mark.
