On the sacred occasion of Kartik Purnima, thousands of devotees gathered in Haridwar before dawn to take a holy dip in the Ganga at the revered Har Ki Pauri ghat. The city witnessed an overwhelming surge of pilgrims who, despite the cold weather, arrived from across the country to participate in one of the most spiritually significant rituals of the Hindu calendar.
Our correspondent reports that the rush of devotees began shortly after midnight. By the early hours of the morning, all major ghats, including Har Ki Pauri, Subhash Ghat, and Gau Ghat, were packed with worshippers carrying diyas and flowers to offer to the sacred river. The chanting of hymns and the sound of temple bells filled the air as thousands immersed themselves in the holy waters, praying for purification and well-being.
The occasion of Kartik Purnima, observed on the full moon day of the Kartik month, holds deep spiritual importance. It is believed that bathing in the Ganga on this day washes away sins and brings divine blessings. Many devotees also observed the traditional Kartik Snan fast and offered donations to priests and the poor as part of the ritual.
Our correspondent adds that several religious groups and ashrams organised community prayers, bhajan sessions, and recitations of holy scriptures near the ghats. The sight of flickering diyas floating on the Ganga against the backdrop of the rising sun created a serene and devotional atmosphere.
The Haridwar district administration had made extensive preparations to manage the large crowd. The city was divided into multiple zones, each supervised by senior officers. More than 2,000 police and civil defence personnel were deployed to ensure safety and discipline. Drone surveillance was also used to monitor crowd movement, while the water police and National Disaster Response Force teams patrolled the riverbanks.
Officials stated that the arrangements were carried out under the supervision of senior officers, with clear instructions to maintain safety and sanitation. Separate bathing areas were reserved for women devotees, and volunteers assisted the elderly and differently-abled pilgrims. Medical camps, first-aid centres, and lost-and-found booths were set up along the ghats.
The local administration arranged continuous announcements urging pilgrims to maintain order, avoid overcrowding, and refrain from entering deep water. Temporary barricades were installed along slippery zones, and emergency rescue teams remained on standby throughout the event.
Our correspondent adds that devotees from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh arrived in large numbers. Hotels, lodges, and dharamshalas were fully occupied, and additional accommodation facilities were arranged by local authorities and religious institutions. Special trains and buses were also operated to handle the increased pilgrim traffic.
Despite the chill in the air, the enthusiasm of the devotees remained undiminished. Many worshippers, including children and elderly people, were seen taking dips in the icy waters while chanting “Har Har Gange” and “Ganga Maiya Ki Jai.” The day also saw large participation from saints, mahants, and spiritual leaders from various akharas.
Religious scholars explained that Kartik Purnima marks the culmination of the month-long Kartik Snan and also commemorates the appearance of Lord Vishnu as Matsya Avatar. The festival is celebrated with equal reverence across India, but the Ganga ghats of Haridwar hold a special sanctity for believers.
Local traders and vendors also benefited from the large turnout, with brisk sales of flowers, diyas, prasad, and devotional items. Food stalls offering tea and snacks did steady business throughout the night and early morning. The Haridwar Municipal Corporation ensured cleanliness drives after the rituals concluded.
As the sun rose over the river, the ghats glowed with thousands of lamps. The fragrance of incense filled the air, and devotees performed the concluding aarti, marking the end of the sacred bath. By noon, most pilgrims had departed peacefully, leaving behind an atmosphere of devotion and calm.
Our correspondent adds that district officials later expressed satisfaction over the smooth management of the massive crowd. No major untoward incident was reported, and the arrangements were praised by visitors and local residents alike. The successful conduct of Kartik Purnima festivities once again reinforced Haridwar’s image as a spiritual heartland and a symbol of India’s cultural unity.
The event concluded with evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, where thousands gathered again to offer prayers, expressing gratitude and seeking divine blessings for prosperity and peace.
