Historic Kanwar Mela 2026 to Begin on July 30; Dehradun Administration Sets July 25 Deadline for All Preparations
DM Dr. Ashish Chauhan Directs Strict Arrangements; Mandatory Verification of Hotels and Dhabas, No Compromise on Devotees’ Safety and Faith
Dehradun:
With the historic Kanwar Mela 2026 scheduled to commence on July 30, the Dehradun district administration has intensified preparations to ensure the smooth, safe, and well-organized conduct of one of North India’s largest religious gatherings. In line with the vision of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to make the event both grand and spiritually enriching, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan chaired a high-level review meeting with all concerned departments at the Rishiparna Auditorium of the Collectorate on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the District Magistrate directed all departments to complete every aspect of the Kanwar Mela preparations by July 25, 2026, warning that any negligence or delay would invite strict action. He emphasized that the Kanwar Yatra is deeply connected to the faith of millions of devotees, and there should be no compromise in ensuring their safety, convenience, and religious sentiments.
Kanwar Mela to Run from July 30 to August 11
According to the district administration, the Kanwar Mela 2026 will be held from July 30 to August 11. The period from July 31 to August 4 has been identified as the peak phase, when the highest influx of pilgrims is expected. The Dak Kanwar procession will take place from August 8 to August 11, while devotees will perform the sacred Jalabhishek at Shiva temples on August 11.
Entire Mela Area Divided into Four Zones and Thirteen Sectors
To strengthen security and crowd management, the police department has divided the entire Kanwar route into four zones and thirteen sectors. Dedicated officers and personnel will be deployed in each sector to ensure effective law enforcement, crowd control, traffic regulation, and emergency response.
The Transport Department has been instructed to conduct rigorous vehicle inspections at district borders, strictly prohibit overloading, and maintain continuous monitoring to prevent road accidents during the pilgrimage.
Mandatory Verification of Hotels and Dhabas; Action Against Fake Identities
The District Magistrate directed all concerned departments to ensure that the religious sentiments of devotees are fully respected throughout the pilgrimage.
He ordered immediate action against illegally operating shops and hotels or dhabas functioning under fake identities or misleading names. The Rishikesh Municipal Corporation has been directed to prohibit the sale of meat and liquor along the Kanwar route during the fair period.
The Tourism Department has also been instructed to carry out mandatory verification of all hotels, dhabas, and accommodation establishments operating along the pilgrimage route.
Road Repairs, CCTV Cameras and Street Lighting to be Completed
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been directed to complete road patchwork, repair potholes, strengthen bridge railings, and ensure adequate street lighting and CCTV surveillance across the entire Kanwar route before the commencement of the fair.
The Irrigation Department has been asked to install safety chains and strengthen safety measures at Ganga ghats, while the Rishikesh Municipal Corporation will ensure cleanliness, proper illumination, anti-dengue fogging, and regular sanitation drives at all major ghats.
Strict Food Safety Checks and Mandatory Display of Price Lists
The Food Safety Department and the District Supply Officer have been instructed to conduct regular inspections of hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries to ensure food quality.
All establishments must prominently display price lists, and any case of overcharging devotees will result in immediate legal action.
Round-the-Clock Medical and Emergency Services
The Chief Medical Officer has been directed to deploy 24×7 medical teams, ambulances, emergency life-saving equipment, and adequate stocks of essential medicines at all identified locations along the Kanwar route.
The Power Department has been instructed to remove loose electric wires and unsafe poles, while the Jal Sansthan will ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply and adequate water arrangements at temporary toilets.
The Forest Department has been directed to take appropriate measures to safeguard devotees from wildlife movement in forest stretches adjoining the pilgrimage route.
District Magistrate to Conduct Field Inspections
Dr. Ashish Chauhan said the administration would not limit itself to review meetings. He will personally conduct regular field inspections of the Kanwar route and monitor the progress of preparations to ensure that all arrangements are completed on time and devotees face no inconvenience during the fair.
During the meeting, Chief Development Officer Abhinav Shah, Superintendent of Police Jaya Baluni, Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Smrita Parmar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kumkum Joshi, Chief Medical Officer Dr. M.K. Sharma, District Supply Officer K.K. Agrawal, along with senior officials from the Public Works, Transport, Tourism, Irrigation, Forest, Power, Water Supply, Municipal Corporation, and other concerned departments, were present.
