On Monday, Haridwar witnessed a significant influx of devotees celebrating Ganga Dussehra, a Hindu festival marking the descent of the River Ganga from heaven to Earth. Participants engaged in ritual bathing in the Ganga, believing it cleanses sins and offers spiritual purification. Special prayers were conducted by priests along the ghats, while thousands took part in the evening aarti. Ganga Dussehra is observed on the tenth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, with festivities lasting for ten days. In a related event, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Shri Anand Dharamshala and praised the Kshatriya Kalauta community for their contributions to social service and nation-building. He urged devotees to prioritize official registration for the Char Dham Yatra and the upcoming 2027 Kumbh Mela to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.