Kanwariyas brave rain to fetch holy Ganga water from Haridwar

The two-week-long Kanwar Mela commenced in Haridwar in the wee hours of Saturday following the lunar eclipse got over.

In the morning itself, thousands of Kanwariyas (devotees of Lord Shiva) could be seen arriving on the Kanwar patri (stretch) chanting ‘Bum Bum Bholey’ to fetch the holy Ganga jal (water) from Brahmkund and adjoining ghats of Ganga river at Har-Ki-Pauri. By the evening, more than two lakh Kanwariyas had arrived in the town.

Many Kanwariyas are also going to Gaumukh-Gangotri in Garhwal Himalayas to fetch the holy Ganga jal.

Rain played spoilsport, as the rainwater created several muddy stretches on the Kanwar route. The Kanwar market at Pantdeep ground was flooded with water affecting the manufacturing and sale of Kanwars — a stick with two roughly equal loads fastened or dangling on opposite ends for carrying water.

However, despite the incessant rains witnessed during the past 48 hours, enthusiasm among the Kanwariyas was unabated. Holding beautifully decorated Kanwars, the devotees could be seen moving on the Kanwar stretch.

Keeping in view the problems faced by the shopkeepers at Kanwar market, the chief town commissioner has assured them of giving relief from the waterlogging and issued directives in this regard to the concerned officials.

Meanwhile, taking into account the heavy turnout of Kanwariyas from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and other parts of the country, Haridwar district magistrate Deepak Rawat has announced school holidays from July 3 to July 9.

According to circle officer, city, Prakash Singh Devli, entry of heavy vehicles in Haridwar district is prohibited during daytime. In the second phase, there will be total ban on the entry of commercial vehicles from August 4, he added.

Kanwar Mela force nodal officer Mamta Vohra said that more than 3 crore Kanwariyas were expected to visit the fair during the Shravan Kanwar pilgrimage. “Keeping this in view, adequate state police force and para-military force personnel has been deployed for the Kanwar duty,” she added.

On the use of music system and loudspeakers by the Kanwariyas, Vohra said that as per the court guidelines, only permissible sound levels will be allowed. “Kanwariyas are being urged to cooperate with the mela administration and controlled measures are being taken,” she added.