Priests, traders in Haridwar seek unrestricted Kanwar pilgrimage

HARIDWAR: Priests and traders in Haridwar are demanding a full-fledged Kanwar pilgrimage this year after decline in Covid cases and relaxation in guidelines to fight the pandemic.

Spring Kanwar pilgrimage, also known as Phalgun Kanwar, draws Lord Shiva devotees “Kanwariyas” in large numbers from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and other states to Haridwar and Rishikesh.

With Maha Shivratri this year falling on March 1, Kanwariyas in small numbers has already started arriving at Ganga ghats in Haridwar to fetch the holy water.

Phalgun Kanwar is likely to be at its peak from February 25 but all depends on the government. For the past two years, the Kanwar pilgrimage has not been allowed in the state owing to Covid pandemic.

With easing of restrictions, local seers and traders are demanding resumption of the pilgrimage. Trader unions are sending memorandums to the state government and district administration in this regard.

“A special Kanwar pilgrimage SoP should be issued in coming days. Traders need to plan, order and fill stock in advance so it’s important that concerned authorities in time issue Kanwar pilgrimage focused SoP which allows pilgrimage get resumed after two years,” said Sunil Shetty ,Mahanagar Vyapar Mandal district president.

Many traders have already ordered Kanwar pilgrimage related commodities and goods taking into account waiver of restrictions on inter-state travel movement, full capacity permission to wedding points, hotels and restaurants.

Dev Ganga Vyapar Mandal, another trader outfit, has demanded the Kanwar fair to be held in traditional manner.

Traders lamented that after lockdown economic and trading business has suffered majorly leading to traders getting affected for the past two years. Fairs like Kumbh and Kanwar are the ones which draw millions of pilgrims resulting in good business. Mahakumbh fair, last year, was a restricted and later got curtailed.

“Trader fraternity is now hoping that the government will allow Phalgun Kanwar fair as the third Covid wave has almost passed away,” said Pankaj Matta, general secretary of the Dev Ganga Vyapar Mandal.

Ganga Sabha, which manages the affairs of Har-ki-Pauri, where millions of Kanwariyas arrive to fetch sacred Ganga water in the decorated Kanwars, is also optimistic about resumption of the Kanwar pilgrimage.

Ganga Sabha president Pradeep Jha said good turnout of pilgrims was being witnessed at the sanctum sanctorum of Brahamkund, Har-ki-Pauri Ganga ghats these days and if Kanwar pilgrimage is allowed fully it will be a boon for the Kanwariyas, teerth purohits, traders and people involved directly and indirectly with the fair.

Senior Superintendent of Haridwar Police Yogendra Singh Rawat said police will make arrangements as per directive of the government.

Religious scholar Kaushal Shikaula said Phalgun Kanwar draws major Kanwariyas from western Uttar Pradesh while monsoonal Shravan Kanwar, draws Kanwariyas from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.