As soon as the Dak Kanwad started, the area from Rishikesh to Tapovan and Neelkanth was completely painted in saffron colour. There was a traffic jam from Rishikesh to Muni Ki Reti. There was a jam situation on Chandrabhaga bridge throughout the day. When the jam did not clear, many Kanwar pilgrims drove their two-wheelers on the footpath of the bridge. Many drove their vehicles into the rainy river Chandrabhaga. There was also pressure of vehicles at Koel Ghati and Natraj Chowk.
The number of postal Kanwadis is expected to increase rapidly in the coming two-three days.
In the initial phase of the Kanwar Yatra, more Dak Kanwar pilgrims arrive on foot. The number of Dak Kanwar pilgrims increases before Shravan Shivratri. A large number of Dak Kanwar pilgrims have started arriving on two-wheelers from Haryana and West UP. The number of Dak Kanwad pilgrims started increasing from Friday itself. More Dak Kanwad pilgrims started arriving on Saturday morning.
The number of Kanwar pilgrims returning after offering water at Neelkanth Mahadev temple is also in thousands. On Saturday, there was a complete jam from Chandrabhaga bridge to Kailash Gate. Vehicles were moving forward inch by inch on Chandrabhaga bridge. When many Kanwar pilgrims were unable to move ahead on the bridge for more than half an hour, they put their two-wheelers on the footpath of the bridge. After that they came back towards Rishikesh and from here they went towards Tapovan via ISBT, Natraj Chowk and Bhadrakali.
Some Kanwar pilgrims went towards Chaurasi Bigha from the new bridge built near the bus stand. But they were not allowed to enter from the Munikireti end of the bridge. From there many two-wheeler riders reached near Bhairav temple via the banks of Chandrabhaga river. There was a huge traffic jam there too. Many Kanwar pilgrims took their two-wheelers into the rainy river Chandrabhaga. There is less water in Chandrabhaga river these days. After crossing the river they reached the main road.