lakhs of people gathered at the Har-ki-Pauri on the occasion of Kartik Poornima on Wednesday which also coincided with the birth anniversary of the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev. Police said around 17.5 lakh people had taken a dip in the Ganga till 2 pm. The number was expected to cross 25 lakh by the evening, police said. The festival passed on peacefully here, barring a few incidents of altercations between police and the pilgrims.
Pilgrims had started arriving at Haridwar city since Tuesday for the Kartik Poornima snan on Wednesday. To ensure smooth conduct of the festival, adequate contingents police force were deployed by the administration. Railway station and bus stands were found crammed with the pilgrims and the tourists, giving traffic police a tough time to regulate traffic and the crowd.
Devotees came from across the country to take a dip in the Ganga on the auspicious occasion of the full moon. On Wednesday, people started gathering at Brahmakund, Har Ki Pauri at dawn. Amidst bhajans dedicated to lord Shiva and Goddess Ganga, lakhs of people bathed in the Ganga and offered prayers.
In the gurdwaras, Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak was held with religious fervour.
Haridwar senior superintendent of police, Senthil Avudai Krishna Raj S said, "Nearly 25 lakh people are expected to take a dip in the Ganga river by the end of the day. Around 17.5 lakh had already bathed in the Ganga by 2 pm on Wednesday," he added
People were seen walking up to Har-ki-Pauri in long queues. Har-ki-Pauri and its adjoining areas were declared zero zone to facilitate the free movement of the devotees.
Taking a dip in Ganga on Poornima in Kartik month as per lunar calendar has a special significance as it is said that accumulated sins of seven lives are washed away by bathing in Ganga on this occasion.
The day was also marked by prayer meets and obeisance paid to Guru Granth Sahib at various gurdwaras. langar (community kitchen) was also organised at various gurdwaras in the city to mark the occasion.