Thousands of ardent worshippers convened in Haridwar, immersing themselves in the sanctified waters and offering devotions on the propitious occasion of Buddha Purnima. The city experienced an enormous influx of pilgrims at various Ganga ghats, notably Har ki Pauri.
In a communiqué on X, the Uttarakhand Police stated, “Today, on the Buddha Purnima bathing festival, a considerable throng of devotees assembled at all the Ganga ghats including Haridwar’s Har ki Pauri. Our concerted effort is to ensure individuals bathe comfortably and in an orderly fashion before proceeding to their destinations.”
Karan Singh Nagnyal, IG, Garhwal Range, assessed the preparations at Har ki Pauri ghat on Wednesday, anticipating the large influx of devotees for Buddha Purnima. “From 1 am onwards, our operations commence. Individuals resting at the Ghats will be awakened, and the bathing procedures will initiate. Security personnel have been deployed to manage the crowd. Heavy vehicles will be restricted during the daytime until the ‘Arti’ concludes,” Nagnyal conveyed.
Neeraj Pathak, a devotee hailing from Chhattisgarh, elucidated the occasion’s significance: “Buddha Purnima is profoundly significant. Hence, my entire family and I have journeyed here to immerse in the Ganges and to glimpse Lord Shankar. This sight holds immense sanctity. My sole prayer to the divine is for Mother Ganga to alleviate everyone’s afflictions. We are exhilarated to bathe in the Ganges, hoping to perpetuate this tradition annually, and that all Indians pay homage to Mother Ganga, bathe, cleanse their sins, and seek relief from their sufferings. The crowd is enormous; I estimate there are hundreds of thousands present,” Pathak expressed.
“There are no issues with the security arrangements; everyone is bathing joyfully, and no problems are apparent. Our residence is in Bihar, but we have traveled from Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh, where we reside,” he added.
In a similar vein, in Varanasi, devotees engaged in holy ablutions and offered prayers at the Ganga River. Ravi Prabha Singh, a devotee, remarked, “We have all congregated to bathe at the Sangam. People journey here from distant places. Lord Ram visited here, and this is where Sita Mata ventured into the forest. Bathing here yields numerous benefits.”
Another devotee, Parvati, commented, “Today, we arrived to bathe in the Ganges. It was an auspicious day. Once a year, we partake in this holy act, which brings joy and tranquility to our family. Thus, we have come to pay our respects at Mother Ganga’s hallowed site.”
In Prayagraj, devotees assembled at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, partaking in holy dips and offering prayers on this revered day. The Ayodhya Ram Mandir also witnessed a substantial number of worshippers on Buddha Purnima.
The temple’s inauguration on January 22 marked a pivotal milestone in India’s cultural and religious heritage. Buddha Purnima, commemorating the day of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation on Earth, is being observed with immense fervor and devotion throughout the nation today.
