Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami arrived in Haridwar on Tuesday and accorded a grand welcome to the *Kanwariyas* (devotees of Lord Shiva) participating in the *Kanwar Mela*. He greeted the pilgrims by showering flower petals upon the *Kanwar Yatra* route from a helicopter. The Chief Minister’s gesture sparked enthusiasm among the *Kanwariyas*, who chanted “Har Har Mahadev” in celebration.
After the flower-showering ceremony, Chief Minister Dhami personally met and greeted the *Kanwariyas*. He honored the devotees by washing their feet and prayed for the safe and successful completion of their *Kanwar Yatra*. Subsequently, he inaugurated a *Bhandara* (community feast) organized for the *Kanwariyas* at Hotel Alaknanda and honored police personnel who had performed their duties exceptionally well.
Haridwar Mayor Kiran Jaiswal, Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik, Ranipur MLA Aadesh Chauhan, along with several BJP public representatives, administrative officials, and a large number of party workers, were present at the event. Speaking on the occasion, CM Dhami remarked that the *Kanwariyas* embody the form of Lord Shiva; the *Kanwar Yatra* offers an opportunity to serve Lord Shiva through them. He noted that he has had the privilege of serving the *Kanwariyas* for the past five years. So far, 48,000 *Kanwariyas* have received medical treatment at the health camps set up for the fair.
CM Dhami stated that Lord Bhole is truly benevolent, destroying all the sins of His devotees; a single vessel of water offered to Lord Bholenath is enough to resolve all their troubles. The *Kanwar Yatra* is not merely a festival of faith but also a celebration of service and dedication. This year, more than ten million devotees of Lord Shiva have returned to their destinations carrying the holy water of the Ganges.
CM Dhami added that under the BJP government, significant cultural and renaissance-related projects—such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya—have been accomplished. Under the leadership of PM Modi, the work of rebuilding a grand and magnificent Kedarnath Dham following the 2013 disaster has been successfully executed, featuring developments like the *Aastha Path* (Path of Faith) and the statue of Adi Shankaracharya. Work on the master plan is underway at Badrinath Dham. Thousands of pilgrims are visiting Adi Kailash daily. The Haridwar Ganga Corridor and the Sharda Corridor are also proving to be milestones. Haridwar is the Gateway to the Divine.
