Haridwar witnessed a huge influx of devotees on the occasion of Shravan Shivratri, coinciding with the final day of the Kanwar Yatra 2025. The religious fervour brought over five lakh vehicles into the city, mainly carrying kanwariyas—devotees who collect sacred Ganga water to offer at Lord Shiva temples. The pilgrimage’s final stretch, known as the Dak Kanwar phase, saw people travelling in groups and vehicles, prompting authorities to step up security, traffic control, and emergency response teams.
Kanwar Yatra 2025: Road Mishaps Mar Devotion
The pilgrimage, however, has not been without tragedy. Eight kanwariyas have reportedly lost their lives in separate road accidents in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand within the last 24 hours.
In Muzaffarnagar, two pilgrims died and three were injured in two separate incidents involving overturned vehicles and suspected hit-and-runs. One victim, a 35-year-old from Delhi, was found unconscious and later declared dead after a possible collision. Another accident in Ghaziabad saw one death and two serious injuries after a bike crash.
In Dehradun, a motorbike carrying five devotees overturned, killing two and injuring three. Police believe fatigue and speeding played key roles in several of these incidents.
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Violence and Arrests in Barabanki
Tensions flared in Barabanki, where kanwariyas were allegedly attacked by a group of intoxicated men near Chandoora village. “There was a confrontation that escalated into a minor clash,” officials confirmed. Two suspects were arrested. Meanwhile, in Muzaffarnagar, police seized drugs and cash from three people allegedly supplying narcotics along the yatra route.
In another instance, five individuals were arrested for impersonating kanwariyas and attempting to steal from yatra camps. “The accused were wearing saffron clothes and using Hindu names,” police revealed.
Jail Kanwar Yatra
In a symbolic gesture, inmates at Shahjahanpur district jail performed a Kanwar Yatra inside the prison, seeking divine forgiveness and redemption.
Commenting on the yatra, Samajwadi Party MLA Iqbal Mehmood said, “The tradition of the Kanwar Yatra and devotion to Lord Shiva is centuries old... But unfortunately, anti-social elements have infiltrated the yatra and are creating nuisance while the government has turned a blind eye.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police has announced route closures till July 23 to manage the heavy flow of pilgrims. Several arterial roads, including stretches near ISBT and the GT Road corridor, have been shut temporarily.