Haridwar, renowned as a spiritual hub, has witnessed an overwhelming influx of more than three crore devout followers of Lord Shiva this year. These zealous individuals have gathered in Haridwar during the sacred month of Saawan to partake in the divine ritual of "Jalabhishek," which involves collecting holy water from the revered Ganges.

Ashok Kumar, the Director General of Police (DGP) of the state, reportedly expressed that the Kanwar Yatra is rapidly reaching its zenith, with an astonishing count of over three crore Lord Shiva devotees making their way to Haridwar from various corners of the country to obtain the sacred Ganges water.
Officials have entrusted the Haridwar Police with the responsibility of ensuring the smooth arrival and management of the Kanwariyas (pilgrims carrying holy water) and their accompanying vehicles.

Under the leadership of SSP Haridwar, Ajay Singh, the police force diligently cleared all the routes leading to the pilgrimage site. Subsequently, more than 55,000 vehicles and over 8 lakh mobile devices set off towards their respective destinations, transporting the devoted pilgrims and their sacred water collections.

As the Kanwars arrived, the roads stretching from the urban landscape to the rural areas temporarily came to a standstill. This momentary pause allowed the influx of lakhs of two-wheelers, and officials noted that the weather had cleared up during this time.

In a surprising turn of events, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an impromptu inspection of the 'Kavad Patti' at Haridwar's Shankaracharya Chowk amidst the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. During this visit, the Chief Minister sought feedback from officials regarding the arrangements made by the administration for the Kanwariyas arriving from different states.

Taking the opportunity to connect with the devotees, CM Dhami greeted the Kanwariyas by showering them with petals. He also engaged in conversations with them, inquiring about their well-being and seeking their feedback on the government's arrangements, which aimed to facilitate their pilgrimage.
During his visit, CM Dhami meticulously inspected the temporary medical camp at Shankaracharya Chowk and issued directives to officials to ensure adequate facilities for maintaining the good health of the Kanwariyas throughout their pilgrimage.

Participating in a special program held at Om Pul near Damkothi, Ganga Ghat, in Haridwar, the Chief Minister extended a warm welcome to Lord Shiva's devotees hailing from different states. In a gesture symbolizing reverence, he washed their feet and offered them the sacred Gangajal. Additionally, CM Dhami emphasized his government's commitment to environmental conservation by planting saplings in Damkothi, reinforcing the significance of a pristine Kanwar Yatra.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that serving the Kanwars should be considered a virtuous act, highlighting the devotion and spiritual significance associated with the pilgrimage.

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