Devotees Flock To Haridwar For Sacred Dip Amid Tight Security
Thousands of devotees thronged Har Ki Pauri on Thursday morning to take a ritualistic dip in the Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Ganga Dussehra, a day believed to mark the descent of the sacred river from the heavens to earth.
Thousands of devotees thronged Har Ki Pauri on Thursday morning to take a ritualistic dip in the Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Ganga Dussehra, a day believed to mark the descent of the sacred river from the heavens to earth.
From the early hours, the banks of the Ganga witnessed chants of “Har Har Gange” and the air was thick with incense, temple bells, and the hope of spiritual purification. Ganga Dussehra is considered highly sacred in the Hindu calendar, with the belief that a dip in the river on this day washes away ten kinds of sins — ‘Dasha’ meaning ten, and ‘Hara’ meaning destroy.
Speaking to the media, SP City Pankaj Gairola confirmed that elaborate arrangements were made to handle the massive influx of pilgrims. “Adequate security has been deployed. If the crowd continues to swell, our pre-planned traffic diversion strategy will be activated. Highways have been monitored closely, and vehicles are being guided to designated parking areas to avoid congestion,” he said.
Officials from the Haridwar Municipal Corporation, Uttarakhand Police, and disaster management teams remained on high alert through the day to ensure a peaceful and safe observance of the festival.
River of Faith, Flow of Devotion
Ganga Dussehra is celebrated not only in Haridwar but across various ghats of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. However, the Har Ki Pauri ghat — a spiritual epicenter — remains the most sought-after destination, drawing lakhs each year.
Temples along the ghats echoed with recitals of the Ganga Aarti, and rituals were performed with traditional offerings of flowers, lamps, and prayers for the health, prosperity, and spiritual cleansing of devotees and their families.
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