Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar is one of the most revered ghats on the Ganges, attracting millions of pilgrims year-round who come to bathe in the holy waters and seek spiritual cleansing. The month of Sawan, a peak pilgrimage season dedicated to Lord Shiva, brings especially large crowds, with devotees thronging the ghat to perform sacred rituals and partake in the legendary Ganga snan.
However, each year from Dussehra to Diwali, the Ganga Canal, a vital irrigation and water supply artery originating at Haridwar, is closed for about 17 to 18 days for desilting, cleaning, and maintenance. This closure is essential to ensure smooth irrigation water flow across vast agricultural lands in western Uttar Pradesh but results in a dramatic drop in water levels downstream at Har Ki Pauri and other ghats. In 2025, this shutdown began on the midnight of October 2, reducing the water flow to barely a trickle aside from limited release during the morning and evening Ganga Aarti ceremonies.
The Unfolding of the Treasure Hunt
As the canal gates closed and the riverbed began drying up, the waters that usually sweep through Har Ki Pauri gave way to exposed patches littered with offerings of devotion accumulated throughout the year. Stones, small and large idols, flower garlands, turmeric-stained chunri, coconuts, brass and copper pots, and discarded clothes surfaced amid the silt.
But most strikingly, the dry bed revealed countless coins, gold and silver rings, chains, bangles, and other precious tokens left by pilgrims with hopeful prayers. Recognizing the rare opportunity, thousands of people waiting on the ghats overnight entered the drying river with hand tools and portable torches. They methodically sifted through the riverbed, removing stones and debris piece by piece and stuffing their bags with whatever valuables they could find.
Scenes captured in photos and videos show women and children, along with men, intensely engaged in the search under the dim glow of handheld lamps, carrying sacks evidently heavy with their finds. The air was thick with a mix of reverence, excitement, and determination as this informal gold and silver hunt unfolded beneath the shadow of the ancient ghats.
Historical and Religious Context of Offerings
The Ganges River, often referred to as Mother Ganga in Hindu theology, holds immense spiritual significance. Devotees believe that offerings made into the river bring blessings, forgiveness of sins, and fulfillment of wishes. Coin offerings have been a long-standing tradition, but gold and silver jewelry gifts are also common as acts of faith during festivals, pilgrimages, and personal vows.
Each year, these offerings accumulate in the riverbed or get carried downstream, making the annual canal closure an unusual occasion where the normally submerged treasure hidden beneath Mother Ganga’s flowing waters becomes visible and accessible.
Environmental and Cultural Implications
While the treasure hunt is viewed by many as a unique opportunity to reclaim lost valuables, it also raises important cultural and environmental questions. Pilgrims and conservationists alike express concern over the increasing pollution and debris accumulating in the sacred river despite ongoing government projects such as the Namami Gange initiative aimed at cleaning and conserving the Ganges.
The closure exposes not just precious metals but also plastic waste, clothes, and religious detritus. Locals like Ashok Tripathi, former president of Ganga Sabha, a body responsible for the upkeep of Har Ki Pauri, have pointed out pilgrimage-related pollution as a persistent challenge. Despite repeated advisories, pilgrims often discard offerings or garments directly into the river after ritual baths, contributing to the buildup of material needing removal during the canal’s annual cleaning.
Impact on Local Communities and Pilgrimage Experience
The annual drying of the riverbed at Har Ki Pauri disrupts normal pilgrimage activities. With water levels dropping to one to one-and-a-half feet during closure, devotees’ ability to bathe in the river becomes limited, impacting rituals that are central to their spiritual experience. However, the partial water release during morning and evening Aartis ensures some ceremonies continue uninterrupted.
Farmers and residents in downstream districts such as Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, and Meerut experience the consequences of the canal shutdown through reduced irrigation water availability, underscoring how the sacred river’s flow is intricately tied to regional livelihoods.
However, the treasure hunt event brings a different kind of buzz to Haridwar, as families and individuals engage enthusiastically, viewing it as a combination of faith-driven endeavor and a practical chance to reclaim valuables lost in the sacred waters.
The Larger Picture: Pilgrimage, Faith, and Environment in 2025
This year’s Sawan month pilgrimage witnessed record numbers of devotees across Haridwar’s ghats, coupled with extensive arrangements for safety and hygiene by local authorities. These highlighted the continued cultural and religious importance of the Ganges basin in North Indian spiritual life.
The canal closure and subsequent drying of the Ganges at Har Ki Pauri have added a new dimension to this annual event in 2025—an intimate interaction between faith, devotion, natural cycles of the river, and the livelihoods of ordinary people who depend on the Ganges not only spiritually but economically.
As devotees return to clean the riverbed, retrieve valuables, and offer prayers, the recurring challenge of balancing religious traditions with ecological conservation remains ever-important. It is a poignant reminder of the delicate relationship between the sacred and the mundane in the life of Haridwar and the larger Ganga basin—a relationship that continues to inspire devotion and prompt reflection on stewardship of nature’s gifts.
This detailed account of the gold and silver hunt from Mother Ganga’s belly at Har Ki Pauri during the 2025 Ganga Canal closure highlights the convergence of spiritual faith, environmental realities, and community life, providing an expert, trustworthy narrative rooted in current facts and cultural insight. It underscores Haridwar’s enduring role as a spiritual hub where ancient traditions meet contemporary challenges, shining a light on the sacred river’s vital place in India’s social and environmental fabric.
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Read detailed coverage and photos of Har Ki Pauri’s gold and silver jewelry hunt on NDTV.
