Kanwar Yatra ends; 4.5 crore pilgrims reached Haridwar in 15 days
Kanwar Yatra
ended on Wednesday with lakhs of
devotees
thronging the banks of the Ganga to collect the waters of the holy river and perform 'jalabhishek' at
Shiva temples
in the town on Sawan Shivratri.
According to Mela Control Room sources, more than 4.5 crore devotees reached Haridwar within a fortnight this year to collect Ganga water during the Kanwar Yatra.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Please select course:
Select a Course Category
A seemingly endless stream of saffron-clad devotees was seen at the Dakshaprajapati Mahadev temple complex in the Kankhal area which is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva's in-laws.
According to mythological beliefs, keeping a promise made to his father-in-law King Daksha, Lord Shiva resides in Kankhal for the entire month of Shravan.
Other Shivalayas of Kankhal, like the Daridra Bhanjan, Tilbhandeshwar, Bilveshwar, Neeleshwar and Gaurishankar temples, also drew large crowds of devotees.
Live Events
Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit and Senior Superintendent of Police Pramod Dobal also performed Ganga puja at Har Ki Pauri along with their subordinate officials.
They took water from there and performed 'jalabhishek' (offering) at the Daksha temple, expressing gratitude to Lord Shiva for the smooth conclusion of the Kanwar fair attended each year by crores of devotees.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
4 hours ago
- First Post
Beyond the war: Cambodia's hidden Hindu heritage
Turf wars about monuments are not uncommon. But these usually happen when a monument collapses out of lack of upkeep and various departments and entities accuse each other of neglecting the monument. However, a corner of South-East Asia is witnessing the perhaps unprecedented scenario of two sovereign nations coming close to all-out war over control of some monuments and its surroundings. While the Preah Vihear Temple has long been contested between Cambodia and Thailand, the recent conflict has been centred around control and ownership of the Ta Muen Thom Temple. The temple complexes, which lie on the border between the two countries, are the victims of disputes arising from a colonial era border demarcation and a reluctance to accept this border in modern times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The temples at Preah Ko, part of the Roluos group Tension simmering for years has exploded now with shots fired and worse. Rocket-propelled grenades and even air forces have come into play. Amidst all this, if you are planning to visit Cambodia, there is plenty beyond the Angkor that can be explored. And none of it is controversial, never mind conflicts. Roluos (20 kms south-east of Angkor Wat): The place was once called Hariharalaya. At the end of the 8th century CE, Jayavarman II established the first Khmer capital here. His successors expanded the city and built the lofty shrine called Bakong as well as the smaller Preah Ko, which means 'sacred bull' – a reference to Nandi. Towards the end of the 9th century came Lolei, a temple whose name is said to be a mutation of Hariharalaya itself. It was built on an artificial island in the Indratataka Baray, a water body. The Temple Mountain of Bakong at Roulos. Source: Wikipedia Coming centuries before the globally celebrated Angkor Wat, these examples of early Khmer architecture are a joy to visit. And not just because they are away from the crowds that fill the Angkor and its immediate vicinity. Built mostly with bricks, the Lolei temples are the oldest examples of classical Khmer design. The Preah Ko comprises six shrines standing on a sandstone platform, in two uniform rows. The front row shrines are dedicated to Khmer rulers Prithivindreshvara, Jayavarman II and Rudreshvara, while the back row is in the memory of their respective wives. The carvings on the shrines are intricate and need careful examination. The sandstone shrine of Bakong was the first of the pyramid shaped temples of the Khmers. In some ways, it resembles Borobudur, the giant Buddhist shrine on the island of Java. As per an inscription found here, it was consecrated in 881 CE by the ruler Indravarman I as his state temple. This was a Shiva shrine named Indresvara, the name combining the ruler's identity with that of the God. With a moat as its boundary, the shrine is a vast complex with more than twenty satellite temples in its precincts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Banteay Srei (37 kms north of Angkor Wat): Its name literally meaning 'citadel of women' and figuratively referring to 'citadel of beauty', the Banteay Srei temple lives up to its name being an elegant and somewhat fragile looking temple complex with a water body in front. This is the only temple complex in Cambodia which did not have a ruler as its patron builder, but two courtiers of King Rajendravarman II. A temple inside the Banteay Srei complex Originally built in the latter half of the 10th century CE, the temples saw further expansion in the 12th and 13th centuries CE, with the last inscription found here dating to 1303 CE i.e. the early 14th century. Made of red sandstone, the temple's material was very amenable to rich carving. The result was a vast array of divine icons carved throughout its structure amidst floral patterns. Primarily a Shiva shrine, it also has Vishnu iconography within. The idyllic setting of the Banteay Srei complex Sadly, this extensive iconography meant that the temple complex drew looters and vandals in hordes. The most notorious incident was the theft of four icons by a Frenchman called Georges André Malraux. He was arrested and the idols recovered. That fact that he went on to become a respected author and 'intellectual' shows the state of justice. As has been the fate of many heritage sites in countries that were colonised, many icons and parts of the complex are in the Guimet Museum in Paris. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In its prime, the temple complex had a settlement called Ishvarapura around it. Nothing of this remains. The temple complex itself comprises three concentric rectangular enclosures. Within it lie various shrines, gopuras or gateways and structures popularly termed libraries. Kbal Spean (43 kms north of Angkor Wat): Sometimes called 'Valley of a Thousand Lingas', Kbal Spean is one of Cambodia's most visually striking sites. The place lies in the western part of the Kulein mountains. To reach, a visitor walks through a forest path, up a hill, for nearly two kilometres. And then arrives at a river whose bed is like no other! The Stung Kbal Spean River flows here, later merging into the Siem Reap River before its waters reach the Tonle Sap Lake. At Kbal Spean, leveraging sandstone rocks the river passes over, a stretch of about 200 metres of the riverbed has been extensively carved. The patron of this carving was a minister of the Khmer ruler in the 11th century CE, who created a thousand Shiva lingas on the riverbed. Close by are other carvings believed to have been done by hermits who dwelt here – carvings of Brahma, Vishnu atop his celestial serpent, Shiva-Parvati and others. Their intricacy is breath-taking. On one icon of Vishnu lying on Sheshnag, a lotus flower emerges from his navel and has a Brahma carving touching it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A reclining Vishnu icon at Kbal Spean The elaborate carving at Kbal Spean is no mere embellishment, but had a spiritual meaning attached. The Khmers believed that the water flowing into the Tonle Sap Lake near Angkor had been blessed by touching the sacred carvings at Kbal Spean. It is also mentioned that in 1059 CE King Udayadityavarman II consecrated a golden Shiva linga here. Given how much Cambodia has lost in terms of antiquities being looted, perhaps it is a blessing that the Kbal Spean carvings are on a riverbed, else they too could have ended up in a European museum. The list of Cambodia's less-known heritage nuggets can be a long one. The region has emerged from decades of horrific conflict and welcomed visitors. More and more stunning heritage seems to be emerging from the countryside. One hopes that both Cambodia and Thailand can resolve their differences and the Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom temple complexes can also be visited. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Hans India
11 hours ago
- Hans India
Stampede at Uttarakhand's Mansa Devi Temple, several injured
Haridwar: A stampede broke out at the Mansa Devi Temple in Uttarakhand's Haridwar early Sunday morning, leaving several devotees injured. The incident occurred due to heavy overcrowding in the temple premises as thousands of devotees thronged the sacred site during the ongoing holy month of Shravan. Eyewitnesses reported chaos as people began pushing each other while waiting in queues, resulting in panic and a sudden rush. Rescue and relief operations were swiftly initiated. Medical teams and ambulances reached the site promptly, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for immediate treatment. Authorities confirmed that relief work is still underway, and the situation is being closely monitored. Every year, Haridwar sees a massive influx of pilgrims during the month of Shravan, especially at the revered Har Ki Pauri and Mansa Devi Temple. This year, however, the situation turned grim due to an overwhelming crowd, triggering a stampede that has once again spotlighted the issue of crowd management at religious gatherings. This tragic incident adds to the growing number of stampedes that have occurred across India in 2025. So far, over 50 people have lost their lives in similar incidents at religious sites, railway stations, and public events. On January 8, a stampede occurred at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in the Tirumala Hills, resulting in the deaths of at least six devotees and injuring many others as hundreds of worshippers pushed to obtain tickets for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam. On January 29, a stampede at the Sangam area during the Maha Kumbh claimed the lives of 30 people and left 60 others injured. Millions had gathered to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, considered one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar. In another major tragedy, 18 people were killed and more than a dozen were injured on February 15 at New Delhi Railway Station. The stampede broke out late at night, with most victims being Maha Kumbh pilgrims returning home. On May 3, at least seven devotees were killed and 80 were injured in a stampede during the annual 'Lairai Jatra' at Shree Lairai Devi Temple in North Goa's Shirgao village. On June 4, what was meant to be a moment of celebration turned tragic when at least 11 fans died in a stampede near Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium during the RCB victory celebration of their maiden IPL title win in 18 years. Further details regarding the Haridwar incident are still awaited as authorities continue to assess the situation.
Mint
13 hours ago
- Mint
Japanese businessman leaves empire behind to become Shiva devotee in Uttarakhand: ‘That dream changed everything'
A 41-year-old Japanese man has traded his business empire for a life of spiritual pursuit in India. Hoshi Takayuki, now known as Bala Kumbha Gurumuni, was once the owner of a successful chain of beauty product stores in Tokyo. Today, he is a saffron-clad Shiva devotee, walking barefoot on a pilgrimage through Uttarakhand. Accompanied by 20 Japanese followers, Mr Takayuki was recently spotted participating in the Kanwar Yatra, carrying holy Ganga water. He also organised a two-day food camp for fellow kanwariyas in Dehradun, offering meals as part of his spiritual service. According to a report in The Times of India, Mr Takayuki's spiritual journey began nearly 20 years ago during a visit to Tamil Nadu, where he encountered Nadi astrology, an ancient Siddha practice involving palm-leaf manuscripts. The reading reportedly revealed that he had lived a past life in the Himalayas and was destined to follow a path rooted in Hindu spirituality. The turning point, however, came in a vivid dream. 'I saw myself in Uttarakhand in a past life. That dream changed everything,' he told TOI. Following this experience, Mr Takayuki gave up his business and adopted a new spiritual identity. He converted his Tokyo home into a Shiva temple and built another shrine soon after. In July, he returned to India to join the Kanwar Yatra. His friend Ramesh Sundriyal, an Indian-origin resident of Japan, shared that Mr Takayuki has also purchased 35 acres of land in Puducherry, where he plans to build a major Shiva temple. An ashram in Uttarakhand is also on the cards. 'I feel deeply attached to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. I believe I spent my past life here and am still searching for my village in the hills,' Mr Takayuki said.
