HARIDWAR: Pilgrims visiting Haridwar have been facing significant challenges taking a traditional holy dip in the Ganga after the Upper Ganga Canal was closed for a 20-day period for annual maintenance, including routine desilting and structural repair work. Managed by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, the temporary shutdown has triggered a sharp drop in water levels across several prominent bathing spots and ghats, most notably at the sacred Har Ki Pauri. Officials noted that these critical infrastructure upgrades are also part of fast-tracked preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.
Devotees Adapt Their Rituals
The depleted flow caught many arriving visitors unaware, leaving numerous devotees disappointed when they found it difficult to take a proper dip. Despite the lowered water levels, pilgrims have shown remarkable resilience by adapting their religious practices, often resorting to using mugs, small vessels, or lotas to bathe along the steps of the ghats.
Devotees like Sanjay, who travelled to the city without knowing about the closure until informed by locals that water supply would normalize around Dhanteras, expressed that while the lack of water hindered a full dip, having darshan and bathing using water containers still made them feel deeply blessed. Similarly, Garima who visited Haridwar for her child’s mundan (head-shaving) ceremony on her very first trip—admitted she was initially disappointed by the reduced flow, but ultimately managed to sit in the water and complete the family rituals smoothly. Executive Engineer Vikas Tyagi confirmed the ongoing maintenance operations and assured that necessary arrangements had been made for visiting pilgrims during this period.
Preparing the Network for the Grand Event
The pre-Diwali maintenance window provides the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department with an essential timeframe to execute heavy embankment maintenance, clear accumulated silt, and complete channel repairs across the canal network. Officials have confirmed that normal water discharge is expected to be fully restored once the 20-day maintenance drive wraps up. Until then, travelers and pilgrims heading to Haridwar may continue to encounter lower water levels at various ghats along the canal.