Haridwar Hari Pauri: If you are planning to take a bath at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, then stop by. At present, the work of cleaning and removing silt of Ganga canal is going on, due to which bathing has been banned for the next 20 days. Bathing will be allowed only after the cleaning work is completed by Diwali night.
Due to this closure, devotees coming to take bath at Har Ki Paidi and other Ganga ghats are facing inconvenience. This situation is seen every year between Dussehra and Diwali, when the work of cleaning the Ganga is carried out regularly.
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Ban on diving on Sharad Purnima
At present, the canal has been closed for cleaning the Ganga canal in Haridwar, due to which the Brahmakund of Har Ki Paidi has become waterless. Devotees are disappointed due to Ganga closure, especially for those planning to take bath on the occasion of Sharad Purnima.
Let us tell you that the 570 km long Uttarakhand Ganga Canal, extending from Bhimgoda Barrage in Haridwar to Kanpur, was constructed in 1842 under the direction of British engineer Colonel PB Cottley. This canal is also an important source of drinking water supply to Noida, Ghaziabad and large parts of Delhi.
Bathing will be allowed at the Ganga ghats only after the cleaning work is completed by Diwali, till then the devotees will have to wait.
Trying to maintain flow through the escape channel
Due to cleaning of Ganga Canal, it has been temporarily closed, due to which there is a possibility of water shortage in the affected areas. Vikrant Kumar Saini, Sub-Divisional Officer of Upper Ganga Canal, said that special care is being taken of people’s faith in a religious place like Haridwar.
A slight water level has been maintained at Har Ki Paidi and other major ghats for the convenience of devotees. Similarly, water flow will also continue at Sati Ghat and other important Ganga ghats through the escape channel, so that there is no hindrance in religious rituals.
Ganga Mahasabha expressed objection
According to Ganga Mahasabha President Tanmay Vashishtha, he has objected to this action of the Irrigation Department. He said that cleanliness is good, but no one has the right to hurt the sentiments of devotees. He said that at least 1,000 cusecs of water flow should be maintained at Har Ki Paidi, Kusha Ghat, Vishnu Ghat and Ganesh Ghat.