Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 14 Apr: The sacred city of Haridwar today witnessed a huge crowd of devotees gathering at different ghats for the ritual of Ganga Snan on the occasion of Baisakhi. The devotees arriving from distant parts of the country thronged Har Ki Pauri and other ghats, taking holy dips in the Ganga to earn spiritual merit, while similar scenes were reported along various riverbanks where pilgrims performed ritual bathing.
The festival of Baisakhi was celebrated with enthusiasm in the religious town, with thousands participating in the holy Snan and offering prayers. In view of the large gatherings and the ongoing Sadbhavana Sammelan, the administration has put in place elaborate security arrangements across the mela area, which has been divided into 10 zones and 33 sectors to ensure effective management and monitoring. Personnel from the police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and water police have been deployed across sensitive locations to maintain order and safety.
SSP Haridwar Navneet Singh Bhullar, SP City Abhay Pratap Singh and CO City Shishupal Singh Negi, along with other officials, remained present on the ground, overseeing the arrangements and ensuring smooth conduct of the event. According to astrological beliefs, the day holds special significance as the Sun changes its position, and it is traditionally associated with the transition into a new phase. Devotees continued to perform rituals such as holy bathing and charitable acts, considering the day highly auspicious.
Chief priest of Narayani Shila temple, Pandit Manoj Tripathi, reminded that performing Ganga pujan, Surya pujan, holy bathing and acts of charity on this day are believed to bring prosperity and well-being in life. He added that scriptures attribute immense spiritual merit to a dip in the Ganga on this occasion, equating it with years of penance and even significant acts of charity.
From the early hours of the morning, devotees from across the country began arriving at the ghats, immersing themselves in prayer and rituals. Many also performed havan and puja at the ghats, seeking peace and prosperity for their families. Several traditional dev dolis arriving from the hills were also ceremonially bathed in the Ganga, adding to the spiritual atmosphere.
The administration maintained a high level of alertness throughout the day, ensuring crowd control, cleanliness and smooth movement of pilgrims. The festival also brought visible vibrancy to local markets, with increased footfall and activity, while temples and other religious places witnessed continuous prayers nd offerings.
