Shravan month draws thousands of Kanwarias to Haridwar

: Thousands of Kanwarias have started descending the Haridwar city on the banks of Ganges River with the onset of Shravan (monsoon) month.

Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Aug 3 (ANI: Thousands of 'Kanwarias' have started descending the Haridwar city on the banks of Ganges River with the onset of Shravan (monsoon) month.

Clad in saffron dress, 'Kanwarias' carry sacred water from the river ghats to pour them on Shivalingas at other places on Mondays of this auspicious month.

Pilgrims take a dip in the Ganges and collect the river water to be carried back to their native places.

It is believed that by taking a dip in the holy river and offering prayers on its banks during the Shravan month would cleanse them of their sins.

Barefoot pilgrims, chanting "Bol Bam" and "Har Har Mahadev" (Hail Lord Shiva) carry the vessels filled with the 'holy waters' of Ganges in pails on their shoulders.

"We visit the place every year in monsoon and carry holy water back. We pray to God that all our wishes are fulfilled and we reach our native places safely before Shivratri," said Gajender Singh, a devotee.

Many devotees, who visit Haridwar, also visit nearby Rishikesh in Dehradun District on the banks of the Ganges.

"I came here to thank God as my niece is born and I have passed my exam. From here, I will visit Rishikesh, then come back, take holy water and return to my native place," said Kuldeep, another devotee from Delhi.

Meanwhile, the State authorities have made tight security arrangements in view of a large number of devotees expected to arrive on the banks of River Ganga.

The State Government has closed the National Highway connecting Delhi to Haridwar for vehicular traffic, as thousands of pilgrims would be taking the road on foot.

Ajay Joshi, Superintendent of Police, Haridwar said all arrangements have been made for the devotees.

He said: "We have uniformed personnel and plain cloth personnel. Besides, there are bomb disposal squads, and railway stations and bus stands have been thoroughly checked".

Over the years, the number of pilgrims has increased manifold. From 100,000 two decades back, it has increased five-fold in the last three years.

The pilgrimage continues through the Shravan month and is considered the longest fair of the world.

ANI