10 lakh pilgrims throng Kapal Mochan mela

Shiv Kumar Sharma

Yamunanagar, November 24

As many as 10 lakh pilgrims, mainly from Punjab, thronged Kapal Mochan mela to take bath at the sacred sarovars to attain ‘moksha’ (salvation) on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.

In the six- day event, the pilgrims had started arriving at mela site since November, 21 to take the ‘panchsnan’ at three holy sarovars comprising Kapal Mochan, Rinmochan and Suraj Kund. After taking bath, the pilgrims also lit ‘diyaas’ on the banks of the sarovars.

This place has a great following among the Sikhs since in 1687 Guru Gobind Singh had stayed here for 52 days after the battle of Bhangani. As per popular belief, taking a dip here washes away all sins. The place is also known to have been the work place of Maharishi Ved Vyas, the creator of Mahabharata.

Deputy Commissioner SS Phulia said the administration had decided to keep the mela free from polythene and he had asked the officers on duty to ensure that no shopkeeper used polythene.

The mela area had been divided into five sectors for the convenience of the pilgrims. Besides, nine police posts, including one woman police post, were also set up to maintain law and order.

Similarly, 600 temporary toilets were made and special buses of Haryana roadways were pressed into services from Yamunanagar and Jagadhri bus stands and the local railway station. Every pilgrim had been covered under Rs 2 lakh insurance cover, he added.

Additional Mela Administrator Satish Bhardwaj said that mela went off peacefully.