Haridwar, August 2026: A remarkable blend of faith, service and tradition was on display in Haridwar as Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami led a special reception for Kanwariyas arriving from different states across the country. The state government organised the event to honour the devotees and highlight the arrangements being made for a safe, smooth and successful Kanwar Yatra.
Aerial flower showers welcomed the Shiva devotees from Har Ki Pauri to the Kanwar route, setting a festive and spiritual tone for the day. At a grand function held at the Alaknanda Hotel परिसर, the Chief Minister performed चरण प्रक्षालन of five Kanwariyas as a gesture of respect.
Dhami also inaugurated the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Seva Shivir, set up to provide health support and medical facilities to the pilgrims. He inspected the camp, reviewed the medical services available there and took stock of arrangements for quick treatment, medicines and other health-related support. He later served food to Kanwariyas himself, underlining the spirit of service that marked the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said Uttarakhand is committed to ensuring that every Shiva devotee visiting Devbhoomi receives a safe, convenient and dignified experience. He said the Kanwar Yatra is not merely a religious gathering, but a grand expression of India’s Sanatan tradition, social harmony and spiritual energy. He added that different departments of the state are working in close coordination to make the event successful.
Dhami said he has had the opportunity to be among Kanwariyas and serve them every year for the past five years. He noted that Lord Shiva is a source of faith, energy and strength for millions of devotees, many of whom walk hundreds of kilometres with discipline and devotion while chanting “Bam Bam Bhole.” According to him, the Kanwar Yatra also reflects discipline, service, dedication and social unity.
He said more than one crore Shiva devotees have already carried Ganga water and moved towards their destinations this year. Referring to the larger cultural vision of the country, he said the preservation and development of spiritual sites under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership have given new global recognition to India’s heritage. He mentioned projects such as Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Mahakal Lok, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, the reconstruction of Kedarnath Dham and the Badrinath master plan as examples of this transformation.
The Chief Minister recalled the 2013 Kedarnath disaster and said that under the Prime Minister’s guidance, Kedarnath has been rebuilt in a grand and divine form. He said facilities such as Aastha Path, Saraswati Ghat, the statue of Adi Shankaracharya and accommodation for pilgrims have been developed there. He also said proposed projects like the Ganga Corridor and Sharda Corridor in Haridwar will give fresh direction to religious tourism and regional development.
Dhami emphasized that safety remains the highest priority during the Kanwar Yatra. He said the route has been equipped with CCTV cameras, drone surveillance, ambulances, health camps and emergency response systems. He urged the devotees to follow discipline, dignity and religious traditions throughout the journey.
He praised the efforts of the police, administration, health department, sanitation workers, voluntary organisations and other service teams, saying that their collective contribution makes this massive annual event possible. The Chief Minister also honoured five police personnel and five sanitation/environment workers for their important role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the yatra.
The programme was attended by Mahamandaleshwar Lalitanand Giri Maharaj, Cabinet Ministers Madan Kaushik, Pradeep Batra and Ram Singh Kaira, District Panchayat President Kiran Chaudhary, Ranipur MLA Adesh Chauhan, Haridwar Mayor Kiran Jaiswal, Roorkee Mayor Anita Agrawal, former minister Swami Yatishwaranand, BJP district president Ashutosh Sharma, former MLA Sanjay Gupta, district and administrative officials, spiritual leaders, public representatives and a large number of devotees.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
Authentic news.
