Ganga Ma returns to Har Ki Pauri before Diwali; 3 to 4 feet of water available for dips, preparations to raise water level for Maha Aarti

Religion Desk | Haridwara It is good news for devotees who have vowed to take a holy dip in the Ganga in Haridwara on the auspacious occasions of Deepavli and Govardhana Puuja. The Ganga water has started flowing again just before Deepavli at the main bathing ghats of Har Ki Pauri. However, due to the renovation and new construction work at the ghats, the Ganga river is not currently full as it used to be; instead, devotees will have to take their faith-filled dip in only 3 to 4 feet (knee-deep) of water.

Annual closure and cleaning of the Ganga Canal

• Closure from Dussehra to Deepavli: Every year, the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department stops the water flow from midnight on Dussehra until Deepavli for the annual silt cleaning and repair of the Ganga Canal.

• Ghats dried up: After the canal closure, Har Ki Pauri and the ghats in the vicinity had dried up. The old railway lines from the time of the rulers were visible from the bed of the ghats, and local people could be seen looking for coins in the dry bed.

• Temporary restoration before Deepavli: Considering the approaching festivals, the Irrigation Divison has diverted the water stream to Har Ki Pauri using a regulator and a dam of sandbags, which has restored the activity at the ghats.

Main reason for not releasing full water

1. Ardh Kumbh preparations: Infrastructure development work is underway at a war footing in Haridwara for the upcoming Ardh Kumbh.

2. Construction of ghats and new bridges: Work is in progress on the construction of new bathing ghats, safety railings, and footbridges in the fair area. The water level in the river has been kept controlled so that the work is not obstructed and quality is maintained.

3. Rule of mandatory water flow: According to beliefs and government rules, it is mandatory to maintain a continuous flow of at least 200 cusecs of water at the Brahma Kund of Har Ki Pauri, and water has been released keeping this in mind.

Water level to be raised for Maha Aarti on Deepavli evening

The administration and temple management say that lakhs of devotees from India and abroad gather for the grand Maha Aarti and Deep Daan at Har Ki Pauri on the evening of Deepavli. To ensure that devotees do not face any inconvenience in worship and abhisheka, the water level will be increased a little on the day of Deepavli. The administration has clarified that devotees should bathe in the safe enclosure and in the water stream flowing up to the knees, rather than in deep water.