By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 30 Jul: With the advent of the holy month of Sawan, the Kanwar Mela 2026 formally began today in Haridwar, drawing lakhs of Shiva devotees who collected Ganga water from Har-ki-Pauri and other ghats before setting out for their destinations. The administration has projected that the number of Kanwariyas may touch nearly 5 crores this season, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the country. To manage the influx, the mela area has been divided into 18 super zones, 40 zones and 141 sectors, with over 6,000 police personnel, 13 companies of paramilitary forces and PAC units deployed. Dog squads, bomb disposal teams, drones and CCTV surveillance have been deployed and the cyber commandos have been stationed in the mela control room to monitor the social media for rumours or provocative content.
It may be reminded here that in a huge relief for the commuters between Delhi and Dehradun, the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway has been declared a no-entry zone for Kanwariyas, with joint arrangements by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand police to divert the pilgrims from Bhagwanpur border to alternative routes. Authorities have clarified that the expressway will remain open only for normal traffic, ambulances, fire tenders and emergency services. Traffic diversions have been enforced across Haridwar district, with NH-58 reserved exclusively for Kanwariyas during peak days. Heavy vehicles have been banned from 4 to 11 August, while temporary parking facilities have been created outside Haridwar city to accommodate lakhs of vehicles.
The Railways have also introduced special services, including three unreserved mela specials from Haridwar and Rishikesh, and extended the Delhi-Saharanpur MEMU and Delhi-Shamli DEMU up to Haridwar. Northern Railway has added 135 extra coaches to regular trains, with stoppages at Raiwala, Motichur and Jwalapur to ease congestion.
District Magistrate Mayur Dixit has declared holidays in all the schools, colleges and anganwadis of Haridwar till 11 August, but the online classes would replace the regular classes to avoid disruption. Drinking water kiosks, mobile toilets and medical teams have been deployed along Kanwar routes, while disaster response units remain on alert.
Transport Minister Pradeep Batra said the government is committed to ensuring a safe and smooth pilgrimage, with repaired highways and completed civic works ahead of the upcoming Kumbh. Religious leaders, including Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara, have appealed for a vyasan-mukt (addiction-free) Kanwar Yatra, urging devotees to refrain from alcohol, drugs and loud DJ music. Police officials have cautioned against small disputes escalating into violence, stressing vigilance against antisocial elements and provocative songs or posts.
The mela began with chants of “Bol Bam” and “Har Har Mahadev” as the devotees filled their Kanwars with Ganga water and set out on foot towards their home towns or villages. Larger Kanwars were seen moving along highways, while Dak Kanwars are expected to begin closer to Shivratri. With four Mondays in Sawan this year and the main Sawan Shivaratri festival on 11 August, Haridwar is bracing for unprecedented crowds. The administration has emphasised that every devotee needs to carry valid identification, avoid oversized Kanwars beyond six feet, and strictly adhere to safety guidelines.
