Thousands of Lord Shiva devotees and Kanwariyas gathered at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to collect holy water from the Ganga for the annual Kanwar Yatra. The gathering comes during the sacred month of Shravan, as devotees prepare to carry the holy water to Shiva temples as part of the pilgrimage. (PICS/PTI)

Lakhs of Kanwariyas have taken to the roads during the annual Kanwar Yatra, carrying holy Ganga water from pilgrimage sites such as Haridwar and Gangotri to offer it at Shiva temples during the holy month of Sawan. Authorities have deployed extensive security, traffic diversions and medical facilities to ensure the smooth conduct of one of India's largest religious pilgrimages. (PICS/PTI)