Unprecedented crowds of Kanwariyas pour into Haridwar

Unprecedented crowds of Kanwariyas poured in the city today upsetting arrangements made by the administration, with major roads and Ganga ghats remaining choc-a-bloc with devotees throughout the day.
The Ganga Ghats, including Har ki Pairi, were inundated by the Kanwariyas (shiva devotees) who jostled to fill their containers with holy water from the river.
"Devotees continue to pour in and they are all set to cross the estimated figure of 3.5 crore (since start of the Kanwar mela on August 1) by tomorrow when when they will offer the holy waters to lord Shiva in the temples for Jalabhishek," SP (City) Surjit Singh Panwar said.

Kanwariyas were also seen occupying hospital and school campuses due to lack of space elsewhere, he said.
With Luxor road and NH-58 caught in traffic snarl, other roads like Jwalapur bypass and BHEL road, which had been long in abeyance were opened to ensure smooth entry and exit of the devotees, he added.
With the roads being packed with devotees, office goers and school children are facing problems commuting through the city.