Haridwar: During the annual closure of Ganga canal from 11 to 31 October for maintenance and cleaning, the dried Ganga River transformed into a treasure trove for hundreds of underprivileged people living in nearby slum areas in Haridwar.
As the canal dried up, lacking sufficient water supply, the river bed revealed a treasure trove of coins, gems, utensils and multiple metal items left behind by pilgrims. Now this has given a unique opportunity for the scavengers and slum kids to look for valuable items in the mud on the canal surface.
These impoverished kids get enough to support their families
While the Ganga canal closure ahead of Deepawali frowns local traders and priest communities affecting their businesses, it brings joy to the slum children who eagerly await this time each year. When the river is full, collecting coins offered to Ganga Ma is challenging for these children. However, with the canal dried up, they spend their days sifting through the riverbed, finding coins and sometimes valuable metals worth hundreds of rupees, enough to support their families. A coin picker, Sonu said, “I collected 50 coins since morning and a copper utensil. These coins are mainly of Rs 1, Rs 5, and Rs 10. Not only for the coins, our treasure hunt is for valuable articles like metal items and utensils.”
It’s a routine for around 100 to 200 children to dig for coins
At the break of dawn, activity begins for these children at Har Ki Pauri. They come from nearby areas such as Bhoopatwala, Kharkhari, Chandighat bridge slum colony, and Jwalapur. It’s a routine for around 100 to 200 children to dig for coins and valuable items like metal statues and utensils on the dry riverbed, which is exposed during Diwali when Ganga canal maintenance takes place. However, it’s not easy to sift through filth and mud accumulated on the river bed including glass bottle pieces and other sharp objects.
Pilgrims return in disappointment seeing no water flow on Ganga Ghats
Ganga Sabha, which oversees Har-Ki-Pauri, allows this tradition to continue it has become a common practice each year when the canal is closed. Nitin Gautam, president of Ganga Sabha, said, “As per agreement done in 1916 to ensure a year-round water availability for pilgrims. However, thousands visiting daily for sacred dips and religious rituals return in disappointment seeing no water flow on Ganga Ghats.” Vikas Tyagi, executive engineer, UP irrigation department, said, “We are releasing minimal water during Ganga aarti but it is not possible to maintain the flow throughout the closure which is meant for cleaning and maintenance of the canal.”
