Kanwar Yatra suspended amid covid-19

The Kanwar Yatra which is held every year in the shravan month according to Hindu calendar, has been cancelled for this year as well, in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Delhi in order to prevent the spread of covid-19.

Kanwar Yatra was scheduled to begin on July 25 before the announcement of cancellation. Kanwar sanghs have decided not to arrange camps or go on yatra this year too as the third wave is expected to arrive soon.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "The society must take its own decision regarding faith. The spirit of Kanwar association should be respected” in his first statement on cancellation of Kanwar Yatra.

“The health of the citizenry of India and their right to life are paramount. All other sentiments, albeit religious, are subservient to this most basic fundamental right” a Supreme Court bench of justice said.

On Sunday, Delhi Disaster Management Authority too banned all kanwariyas movement and stated that kanwar yatra cannot be permitted in this situation.

Haridwar, where all the kanwariya visit to collect water from the holy river Ganga, has already sealed its borders as per Uttarakhand government's order.