Haridwar, July 30 -- Devotees participated in the annual Kanwar Yatra in Haridwar on Thursday, carrying holy water from the Ganga River to their destinations on the first day of the holy month of Shravan.

Devotees were seen carrying water from the Ganga as part of the annual pilgrimage associated with the worship of Lord Shiva during the sacred month.

Yoga Guru Ramdev described Shravan as an extremely sacred month dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and urged Kanwar Yatris to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrimage.

"The month of Shravan is extremely sacred--a time dedicated to worshipping Mahadev," Ramdev said.

He urged devotees to refrain from consuming intoxicants and engaging in unruly behaviour during the yatra, saying such ac...