Ghaziabad: Thousands of Kanwariyas gather at ‘Mini-Haridwar’; devotees praise arrangements
Ghaziabad: Thousands of Kanwariyas were seen on Saturday at the Kanwar camps set up along the Ganga Canal in Muradnagar, popularly known as ‘Mini-Haridwar’, as the annual Kanwar Yatra continued with great enthusiasm.
Devotees were seen resting at the camps and availing themselves of food, drinking water, medical aid, and other essential facilities. Security arrangements included heavy police deployment and CCTV surveillance monitored through a dedicated control room.
IANS spoke to several devotees participating in the Kanwar Yatra, many of whom praised the arrangements made for the pilgrims.
One devotee said, “I began this year’s journey from Haridwar on August 2 and expect to reach my destination soon. The arrangements made under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration are very good.”
Another Kanwar pilgrim said, “We started our journey on August 1 and have travelled comfortably. Initially, there were four of us, but one devotee got separated along the way, and the remaining three have continued together. This is my second Kanwar Yatra, and I have not faced any major difficulties. It is all due to Lord Shiva’s blessings. The arrangements made by the government are excellent.”
A devotee from another group said, “When we undertake this journey in the name of Lord Shiva, we do not feel any hardship. There are minor difficulties, but overall the arrangements are satisfactory.”
Another pilgrim shared, “There is some pain in the legs from walking long distances, but otherwise everything has been fine. We have received medicines whenever required, and the arrangements for food and other facilities have also been very good.”
Hari Om Gupta, a volunteer with Mitra Kanwar Seva Samiti in Muradnagar, said, “We started our journey on August 1 and expect to reach our destination soon. We have not encountered any major problems. The arrangements made by the Uttar Pradesh Police are excellent. There were some difficulties while travelling through Uttarakhand, but once we entered Uttar Pradesh, everything was well organised. There are proper arrangements for lighting, accommodation, food, medical assistance, and other facilities.”
Marked by faith and spiritual fervour, the Kanwar Yatra attracts millions of devotees from across the country every year, transforming highways and pilgrimage routes into vibrant corridors of worship, community service, and religious celebration.
The pilgrimage takes place during the auspicious Hindu month of Sawan. This year’s Yatra began on July 30 and is expected to reach its peak on August 11, coinciding with Sawan Shivratri. Devotees offer the sacred Ganga water at local Shiva temples on Shivratri, marking the culmination of the main rituals.
Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri in Uttarakhand serve as the principal water collection points for pilgrims. Devotees then proceed towards prominent shrines, including Neelkanth Mahadev in Rishikesh, Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, and Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi.
