Kanwarias' Numbers Break All Records on Friday, Uttar Vahini Ganga Coast Drenched in Saffron
Bhagalpur/Sultanganj: An incredible surge in enthusiasm is currently being witnessed among Shiva devotees heading towards Deoghar and Basukinath to worship Devadhidev Mahadev during the holy month of Sawan. The pleasant weather, characterized by cloud cover, cool breezes, and light showers over the past few days, has made the journey much smoother for the Kanwarias. Benefiting from this favorable weather, a record-breaking crowd of Kanwarias thronged the famous Uttar Vahini Ganga coast in Sultanganj on Friday, surpassing the figures of the past several years. From Ajgabinath Dham to the Kanwaria route, a sea of saffron-clad Shiva devotees was visible everywhere.
Pleasant Weather Eases Fatigue, Historic Crowd Surges
Generally, during the month of Sawan, intense heat, scorching sun, and humidity cause immense physical hardship to Kanwarias during their long trek. Often, elderly individuals and youth are forced to rest midway due to the blazing sun. However, on Friday, the mood of the weather had completely transformed. The sky remained overcast from early morning, accompanied by cool easterly winds. Intermittent light drizzles refreshed the atmosphere entirely.
This pleasant and cheerful weather doubled the morale and energy of the Kanwarias. As a result, the number of pilgrims arriving in Sultanganj on Friday broke all records. From the railway station to the Ganga coast, and from dharamshalas to the main market, human heads were visible everywhere. The enthusiasm of Shiva devotees arriving from distant states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, and other corners of the country was a sight to behold.
Chants of "Har-Har Gange" and "Bam-Bam Bhole" Echoed at the Ganga Ghat
From the early hours of Friday, the great mantras of "Har-Har Gange" and "Bam-Bam Bhole" began echoing across the Seedi Ghat of the Uttar Vahini Ganges, Ajgabinath Temple Ghat, and the unpaved Kanwaria path. Millions of Kanwarias first took a holy dip in the sacred currents of Mother Ganga. Following this, with the first ray of the sun, they filled water, took a solemn vow, and commenced their arduous 105-kilometer long pilgrimage on foot.
A Spectacle of Boundless Devotion: People of all ages were spotted at the ghats. Elderly mothers, youths, and young children carrying Kanwers on their shoulders appeared immersed in devotion. Due to the pleasant weather, elderly Kanwarias also found it much more convenient to take a bath and collect water.
Queues at Community Kitchens (Bhandaras) and Service Camps: In view of this record-breaking number of Kanwarias, heavy hustle and bustle was witnessed at service camps and bhandaras set up by social organizations and the local administration at various points. Volunteers were seen wholeheartedly engaged in serving the Kanwarias.
Increased Vigilance by Local Administration and Police Force
To control this sudden record-breaking crowd, the local district administration, Naugachhia police district administration, and police forces had to remain fully alert. Tight security arrangements were put in place considering the massive pressure of the crowd:
Traffic Control: The entry of heavy vehicles on main routes and intersections was restricted to ensure Kanwarias could walk without any inconvenience.
Divers and Security Personnel Deployed at Ghats: Keeping the rising water level of the Ganges and the huge crowd in mind, NDRF and SDRF teams, along with skilled divers and police personnel, were deployed at the ghats for safety.
CCTV Surveillance: The administration continuously monitored activities across the mela area and ghats through CCTV cameras connected to the control room.
Shopkeepers' Faces Light Up, Economic Activity Gets a Boost
Local business owners, hotelier associations, panda communities, and small shopkeepers directly benefited from this unprecedented crowd of Kanwarias. Business activities, which had slowed down slightly over the past few days due to rain, surged ahead dramatically with the arrival of the record crowd on Friday. Long queues of buyers lined up at shops selling worship items, Kanwers, clothes, fruits, and sweets. Shopkeepers noted that if the weather continues to favor them, all previous business records for this Sawan season will be broken.
Every Hardship Pales Before Faith
This Kanwar pilgrimage from Sultanganj to Deoghar is not merely a religious trail, but a unique testament to human endurance, dedication, and unwavering faith. The relief provided by the pleasant weather not only eased the journey for Kanwarias but also completely infused the atmosphere with spirituality.
Friday was etched in the history of Sultanganj as a record-breaking day, where nature's grace and the deep-seated faith of Shiva devotees created a magnificent spectacle that naturally awakened a sense of devotion in everyone who witnessed it. This saffron caravan moving toward the city of Baba Baidyanath proves that when faith is genuine, every path becomes easy.
