Haridwar

Kanwar Yatra Pilgrims going near the Gangotri Glacier for a closer look at Gaumukh.

We were over 3800 meters high, walking a rugged mountain trail. The weather was cold and misty with a bit of rain in the air. But the pilgrims, some in their shorts & t-shirts, walking barefoot or just wearing chappals were undeterred by the terrain or the climate. They breezed through it all and focussing only on getting to Gaumukh ('Gau' - cow & 'Mukh - face), the terminus of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi river. One of the main tributaries of the mighty Ganges.

Laying bare infront of mother nature. A Sadhu at Gaumukh, Gangotri.

A Sadhu standing in front of the Gangotri glacier at Gaumukh. The altitude is about 3400m and it could get pretty cold out there. But he is wearing just a loin cloth and a shawl for warmth. Pretty amazing how the human body can be conditioned to cope with the elements. The umbrella serves both as a walking stick and as protection against rain.

Ganga Aarti ceremony at Har-Ki-Pauri, Haridwar.

Seeking blessings from the scared flames. A typical scene during the Ganga Aarti ritual which takes place every evening at Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar. I love this picture. Watch the girl in the background taking in the blessings.

Pilgrims from all over north india gathered in Har-ki-Pauri for the Kanwar Mela.

During the Kanwar mela, millions of people from all over North India come to Haridwar to collect water from the Ganges and take it back home. Here you can see the stalls and camps set up to accomodate the pilgrims. The colorful objects on sale in this picture are Kanwars. Wooden (bamboo) poles used by the pilgrims to carry the Ganga Jal (holy water) back to their hometowns. Usually the pole is slung across their shoulders with water-pots hanging from either end.

The Ganga Aarti ceremony at the Hai-ki-Pauri ghats.

As i reached the Har-ki-Pauri ghats the aarti had already begun. All along the ghats, priests like this can be seen performing the aarti with many devotees around them. The aarti is accompanied by the melodious chanting of the "Om Jai Gange Mata" hymn by everyone gathered there. The whole place swayed to the rhythm and the tempo of the bhajans. The atmosphere was quite incredible. It took me back to my days in the Sivanada ashram where we used to do the Ganga Aarti every day and i found myself singing along to the bhajans.

People gathered at the Har-ki-Pauri ghats.

People gathered on the Har-ki-Pauri ghats to witness the Ganga aarti ceremony. Once the ceremony is over, some of them take a ritual bath in the waters of the Ganges. Many people pay their respects to the river by placing floating diyas (wick lamps) on the waters of the ganges. The floating diya is basically a plantain leaf folded in the shape of a boat, containing a few flowers and a tiny wick lamp which would be lighted and set off on the waters.

A pilgrim taking a ritual bath in the Ganges at Har-Ki-Pauri, Haridwar.

A vendor selling the tiny floating diyas (wick lamps) to the devotees at Hai-ki-Pauri.

Photo taken at the Har-ki-pauri ghats in Haridwar.

A priest offering the holy flames to the pilgrims during the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar.

A priest offering the holy flames to the pilgrims during the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar.

Haridwar Ghats

The Ganges flowing between the bathing ghats in Haridwar.

A priest offering the holy flames to the pilgrims during the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Har-Ki-Pauri in Haridwar.

A priest walking around with the aarti after the ceremony at Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar.

Once the Ganga aarti was complete, you'll see priests like this walking around offering the flames of the aarti to the devotees.

Tiny pooris arranged nicely at a chat shop.

Photo taken at the Har-ki-pauri ghats in Haridwar.

Devotees pay their respect to the aarti flames and receive blessings from the priests.

Piping hot aloo tikki (potato patties) and big fluffy pooris on offer.

Photo taken at the Har-ki-pauri ghats in Haridwar.

Young vendors at Har-ki-pauri. Haridwar.

As i was walking towards the Har-ki-Pauri ghats these kids came up to me sell these odd looking garlands. I didn't buy any, but still they were happy to pose for a few pictures.

Beads of different varieties.

Photo taken at the Har-ki-pauri ghats in Haridwar.

Delicious kulfi milk on offer at the stalls near Har-ki-pauri ghats in Haridwar.

Har-ki-pauri ghats in Haridwar.

A priest walking around with the aarti after the ceremony at Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar.