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HARIDWAR, INDIA, June 6, 2005: Thousands of devotees from all over the country thronged the banks of the Ganges river in Uttaranchal to worship at the Hindu shrines amidst the chanting of hymns and a flamboyant cultural revelry. Dawn at Haridwar saw hordes of pilgrims as well as tourists swarming the banks of the holy river to take part in the opening rituals of the Badri-Kedar festival. The festival organized by the state’s Cultural Department commenced at Haridwar and will continue for a stretch of eight days ending at Badrinath, one of the four holiest Hindu shrines in the state. The annual festival, which celebrates pilgrimage to the sacred shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath, honors the rich cultural diversity of the country, bringing together a variety of cultural dances and devotional songs. Pilgrims and tourists alike, overwhelmed by the festivities, felt blessed to be present at such a holy site. “We liked it very much after coming here and we are feeling blessed by coming,” said V. N. Gupta. “There is a unique sense of happiness at the banks of the rivers. We are feeling very nice here,” said A. C. Joshi.



The festival, which is held every year in the month of June, seeks to give pilgrims an insight into the local culture of Uttaranchal. “By organizing this kind of cultural program in Haridwar, we welcome everybody. The state which reflects the true Indian culture and tradition welcomes everybody at the Haridwar, said to be the door to heaven,” said L. D. Jaguri, Vice Chairman, Kala Parishad, Uttaranchal. The pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in the Garhwal region began last month with the reopening of these shrines after six months due to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches. According to an estimate, around 8 million pilgrims throng the hilly region annually to pay obeisance to the Deities. Home to some of the best hill resorts, Uttaranchal also attracts a large number of tourists every year. (ANI)

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