Kanwar Mela gathers momentum

The Kanwar Mela has started picking up momentum with large number of devotees arriving in Haridwar on the first Monday of Shrawan month according to the Hindu calendar. Special prayers were held in various temples across Haridwar on this occasion with devotees thronging shrines to offer Ganga water and other offerings to lord Shiva.

A city based astrologer KD Mishra said that till a few decades ago, only a few hundred people mostly from villages, used to visit Haridwar to fetch Ganga water. But now the number of such visitors has increased and includes residents of cities. This year as per the estimates of the district administration, up to three crore people are expected to arrive in Haridwar during the Kanwar Mela.

It may be mentioned that 25 zones and 95 sectors have been formed for the smooth organisation of Kanwar Mela. Up to the Monday evening 20 lakh kanwarias were estimated to have arrived in Haridwar which is the largest number recorded in a single day. On Sunday, 9.85 lakh pilgrim footfalls were recorded.

Manager of a local hospice, Bhagwan Das said that large number of Kanwarias arriving here throws normal life out of gear in Haridwar. It also exerts tremendous strain on the infrastructure including supply of electricity, drinking water, traffic flow and sanitation. It may be recalled that the Haridwar District Magistrate has already ordered closure of all schools in Haridwar from August 6 to 11.