devotees-offer-prayers-at-har-ki-pauri-on-ekadashi

A large number of devotees thronged Haridwar’s iconic Har Ki Pauri on Sunday to take a holy dip in the Ganga and offer prayers on the occasion of Ekadashi.

 

Himanshu Sharma, who hails from Amroha village, said he felt a deep sense of peace after taking the ritual bath at the sacred ghat.

 

"We have come here with our family to take a dip on the occasion of Ekadashi. We felt very good after taking the bath. Everyone should take a dip in the Ganga river along with their family members," Sharma said.

 

Another devotee, Arun Pratap Singh, a resident of Faridabad, praised the arrangements made by the authorities for the occasion. "The arrangements here are very good. We are really happy," he said.

 

Ekadashi is a significant day in Hindu tradition, dedicated to honour Lord Vishnu, during which devotees observe fasts and perform special puja rituals. Pilgrims from across the country travel to Haridwar to take a holy dip in the Ganga and offer their prayers.

 

Earlier, on June 6, a large number of devotees gathered at Har Ki Pauri to mark Nirjala Ekadashi — one of the most sacred and spiritually important days in the Hindu calendar.

 

Pilgrims from all over the country gathered along the banks of the Ganga to participate in the royal bath and offer prayers to Ganga Mata. The event followed the celebration of Ganga Dussehra, resulting in a heavy influx of devotees on both days. Devotees took part in ritualistic baths, offered prayers, and chanted religious hymns in devotion.

 

A devotee, Vipul Sharma, said, "It is the eleventh of Ekadashi, and its bath is a royal bath. You can see how many faiths people are associated with this thing, such as our religion, Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma, and I say that Sanatan Dharma is not such a big religion for everyone."

 

Another devotee, Bhaisaheb Roshan Lal, called it a special day for the Hindu community. He said, "Today is the bath of Ekadashi. This is a special bath. Shiva's grace is such a pleasure. There is a good system of administration, and everything is good. All is good. There is safety somewhere, so there is so much excitement to go."