Haridwar: Entry of non-Hindus, reel-makers and drones strictly prohibited at Har Ki Pauri, boards installed
At Haridwar's sacred Har Ki Pauri, new boards prohibit entry of non-Hindus, drone flying, and reel making. Shri Ganga Sabha has warned of legal action against violators, after a viral video sparked outrage among priests and devotees over religious sanctity.
Haridwar: The sanctity of Haridwar’s most revered ghat, Har Ki Pauri, is being reinforced with strict new rules. Boards have been installed at various points clearly stating that entry for non-Hindus is prohibited. Alongside this, drone flying and making reels or films based on songs have also been banned.
The Shri Ganga Sabha, which manages Har Ki Pauri, has taken these steps to preserve the religious atmosphere of the ghats. Officials said that drone flying within Har Ki Pauri and Malviya Island areas is strictly prohibited. Similarly, shooting reels or videos for entertainment purposes is banned, with warnings of legal action if such content is circulated on social media.
Two young men dressed in Arabic attire were seen roaming the ghats
The decision comes after a video recently went viral on social media. In the clip, two young men dressed in Arabic attire were seen roaming the ghats. The video triggered strong objections from priests, who said such acts violate the sanctity of Haridwar and hurt religious sentiments.
Pilgrimage priests expressed displeasure, warning that such activities could disturb the spiritual atmosphere of the holy site. The police took cognizance of the matter and began investigating the incident. City Kotwali in-charge Ritesh Shah said that an investigation has been launched. Efforts are being made to identify the youths seen in the video. Police officials assured that necessary steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Ganga Sabha’s response
Nitin Gautam, president of Shri Ganga Sabha, said to TV9 (English), "Though the entry of non-Hindus is already prohibited at Har-Ki-Pauri but we have put up sign boards to inform the people to stop such incidents in future. Furthermore, two Kashmiri youth also tried to enter the restricted zone recently.” Details of the incident have been given to the local police outpost. He emphasized that maintaining decorum at the ghats is a priority, and strict action will be taken against violators.
Preserving sanctity of Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri is considered one of the most sacred ghats in India, where devotees gather for rituals, prayers, and the famous Ganga Aarti. The new prohibitions are aimed at ensuring that the religious sanctity of the site is not disturbed by activities such as drone flying, filming reels, or unauthorized entry.
Officials stressed that Har Ki Pauri is not just a tourist attraction but a deeply spiritual place. Any activity that undermines its sanctity will be dealt with strictly. The Shri Ganga Sabha and police are working together to safeguard the religious atmosphere of Haridwar’s most sacred ghat.