Digital Desk | Haridwar | April 13, 2025: Haridwar: The holy city of Haridwar turned into a sea of devotees on Sunday as lakhs of people thronged Har Ki Pauri to take a ritualistic dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Baisakhi 2025.With footfall surging well beyond expectations, there was no space to even stand at the ghats, and the Delhi-Haridwar highway faced massive traffic jams, bringing movement to a crawl for hours.
Massive Turnout for Ganga Snan
By early morning, devotees had started pouring in, with groups arriving on foot, in buses, and by trains. Local authorities estimated that over 10 lakh pilgrims visited Haridwar by midday. “I’ve been coming for years, but I’ve never seen it this packed. The energy is incredible,” said 62-year-old Vijay Singh, a resident of Meerut.
Traffic and Crowd Control Challenges
Despite elaborate preparations by local police and the administration, the sheer number of people overwhelmed the city's infrastructure. Several major roads had to be temporarily closed, and traffic diversions were announced throughout the day.NH-334 from Delhi to Haridwar faced long delays
Parking zones were full by 8 AM
Police deployed drones and PA systems for crowd management
Spiritual High Despite Logistical Lows
Even amid congestion, the festive spirit was unbroken. Pilgrims were seen singing bhajans, taking holy dips, and offering prayers to mark the harvest festival and Sikh New Year. “The struggle to reach here is worth it — this dip cleanses the soul,” said Anjali Tiwari, a first-time visitor from Lucknow.
Why Baisakhi Matters:
Marks the Sikh New Year and formation of the Khalsa in 1699.Celebrated as a harvest festival across North India.Considered highly auspicious for a holy dip in the Ganga
What’s Next:
Authorities have advised pilgrims to plan return travel cautiously and follow updated traffic advisories. Special trains and buses are being arranged to ease post-festival travel.
ANI Input
