Kapal Mochan Mela: A confluence of faiths

Situated in the lap of nature, Yamunanagar district has many important religious and historical places. It attracts a large number of pilgrims and tourists. A well-known inter-state Shree Kapal Mochan-Shri Adi Badri Mela is held at Kapal Mochan, close to Vyaspur town, in the district every year. A large number of devotees across faiths, including Hindus and Sikhs, from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand take a holy dip in the Kapal Mochan, Rin Mochan and Surajkund Sarovars on Kartik Purnima to attain ‘moksha’. This year, the holy bath of Kartik Purnima will start in the three sarovars on November 5 from 12 am onwards. The mela is being held from November 1 to 5 and 7-8 lakh pilgrims are expected to arrive.

Kapal Mochan is an ancient and religious place symbolising the unity of the people of different classes, castes and religions. According to the Puranas, Kapal Mochan Dham relieves the sins of all three eras. It has been the work place of Maharishi Ved Vyas, son of Maharishi Prashar and the creator of the Mahabharata. He has created Vedas and Puranas here.

It is believed that Pandavas took bath in Rin Mochan Sarovar to get rid of the sins after the death of their relatives and Guru Daronacharya in the great war.

Guru Nanak Dev visited this place in 1584 and Guru Gobind Singh in 1687.

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the pilgrims visiting the holy site do not have to face any inconvenience.

Permanent LED lighting has been arranged around all three sacred sarovars.

To facilitate smooth movement, e-rickshaw service is being operated from Vyaspur town to the mela site. Besides, the Transport Department has made arrangements of extra buses for pilgrims arriving from various parts of the state.

“Special emphasis has been laid on security arrangements. In addition to the deployment of police personnel, over 100 CCTV cameras and a drone surveillance system are being used to keep a close watch over the entire mela area,” said Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta, who is also the Mela Chief Administrator.

For the pilgrims’ convenience, permanent and temporary toilets, drinking water, medical camps, adequate availability of food, proper barricading, road repair and well-coordinated police arrangements are in place. Four-ft high fiber sheets have been installed on the walls of women ghats. Previously, cloth curtains were installed at the ghats.

Various departments have set up exhibition stalls at the fair, highlighting the state government’s public welfare schemes and achievements.

Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal is keeping a close watch on security arrangements for a smooth and peaceful conduct of the mela. SDM-cum-Mela Administrator Jaspal Singh Gill said all devotees coming from various states to the mela were their guests. He said providing them with the best possible facilities was the administration’s priority.

“A clean and disease-free environment has been created at the mela. Special security arrangements have been made at the women ghats, free medicines have been arranged for the pilgrims. Proper vehicle parking and other arrangements have also been made,” said Jaspal Singh Gill.

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