Kanwarias throng holy city with onset of Saawan

Hardwar, Jul 24 (UNI) The second largest religious festival of India, the Kanwar Mela, has drawn a record 15 lakh pilgrims to the celestial town of Hardwar since July 18 with the onset of 'Saawan'.

According to a statement released from IG Garhwal Ashok Kumar, 10 lakh Kanwarias have so far visited Hardwar and left for their respective places of origin, while five lakh have stayed back.

As per yesterday's figures, 30,000 Kanwarias had visited Gangotri while three lakh visited Neelkanth and Munikireti in Rishikesh.

The figures are expected to double from July 25 when Dak Kanwarias visit Hardwar.

In their routine checks, police have fined four thousand vehicles and seized 200 for rash and negligent driving.

Two companies of the PAC and Jal Police have been stationed at 14 places in the town to prevent accidents. Due to their alertness, the teams have managed to save 85 Kanwarias from drowning, the statement added.

UNI PB AE RK1645