Kanwar Yatra called off after Supreme Court’s warning

Lucknow (UP) – After a warning from the SC, UP Government called off the Kanwar Yatra in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was to be held between the 25th July and 6th August. In its suo motu decision, the SC observed that public health and the fundamental right to life is more important. All other sentiments, including religious beliefs, are not above the fundamental rights. After the UP Government’s permission for the Kanwar Yatra, the Court had filed a petition. SC serving a notice to the Centre, UP Government, and Uttarakhand Government had asked for a response before the 19th of July. Uttarakhand Government had already declined permission for the Yatra.

The Uttar Pradesh government announced that the #KanwarYatra is being cancelled in view of the coronavirus pandemic, as per a report https://t.co/t5yLnsTrZv

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) July 17, 2021

What is Kanwar Yatra ?

Kanwar Yatra is organised during the Holy month of ‘Shravan’. As per the Scriptures, the first Kanwar Yatra was undertaken by ‘Bhagwan Parshuram’, a devotee of Deity Shiva. During the Yatra, the devotees of Deity Shiva adorn saffron clothes and travel barefoot with the ‘Gangajal’ or water from any Holy river. Devotees carry ‘Gangajal’ from Gangotri, Gomukh and Haridwar in Uttarakhand; Prayagraj and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Sultanganj in Bihar and use it for performing Shiva Puja at the Shiva temples in their respective villages. In 2019, 3.5 crore devotees had reached Haridwar during the Yatra period. Likewise, 2 to 3 crore devotees visited the Shiva temples in UP.