Days right after the Uttarakhand government stated that it would not enable Kanwar Yatra in the state, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has named a particular meeting to talk about and critique the preparation of the yatra. The Yogi-led state government has stated that it would coordinate with all the neighbouring states in this regard and will attempt to discover out a way to facilitate pilgrims for the duration of the yatra. According to a report in the Indian Express, CM Yogi reportedly spoke to his Uttarakhand counterpart on this concern. Sources stated that following the discussion, he named a particular meeting of his officials to critique the preparation.
Kanwar Yatra starts with the onset of Shrawan month each and every year and this time it is set to commence on July 25. The pilgrimage will go on for a period of about 15 days and for the duration of this time massive numbers of devotees throng the banks of the holy river Ganga in Haridwar, Uttarakhand to gather water for ‘Jalabhishek’ in Shiva temples. Haridwar typically witnesses a massive quantity of devotees from states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. The devotees typically choose to travel on foot and at times via automobiles. Around 3.5 crore kanwariyas visited Haridwar for the duration of the auspicious month in 2019.
Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awaneesh Kumar Awasthi stated that the state has permitted Kanwar Yatra below the path of the chief minister.
“As directed by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Kanwar Yatra has been allowed this year. We will make sure that all Covid protocols are followed during the yatra. A high-level meeting has been called to discuss the matter and we will then coordinate with neighbouring states also. The meeting will be chaired by the CM Yogi,” Awasthi was quoted as saying by the report.
Awasthi emphasised that all Covid acceptable protocols will stay the very same for the duration of the yatra and arrangements will be made to make sure that the devotees stick to them.
For these who are unaware, the Kanwar Yatra was not held last year due to coronavirus-induced lockdown.