• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Kanwar Yatra 2024: Schools in Haridwar will be closed for a week due to the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. The decision was made with the influx of Shiv enthusiasts in mind. Schools from classes 1-12 will be closed from July 27 to August 2. A large number of devotees are flocking to the pilgrimage city to collect water from the sacred Ganga river.

“It was decided to close the schools as the rush is going to increase over the next few days,” reported PTI quoting Dhiraj Singh Garbiyal, District Magistrate.

According to Garbiyal, classes 1 to 12 in Anganwadi centres and government and non-government institutions would remain closed.

Shiva devotees from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, go to Haridwar and Rishikesh annually during the month of Sawan in order to get Ganga water.

Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, welcomed the Kanwariyas on Monday, marking the start of the Kanwar Yatra. In addition, he urged the Kanwariyas to maintain the Ganga's cleanliness.

ALSO READ: Kanwar Yatra Eateries Row: SC Stays UP, Uttarakhand Govt Orders Asking Shops Along Yatra Route To Display Owner's Names

"I pray to Lord Shiva for your pleasant journey. I also appeal to you to fully cooperate with the administration in maintaining law and order and cleanliness of Mother Ganga," the chief minister said.

Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar stated that the Kanwar Mela is a challenge that has to be handled promptly. Thirty-one zones, 126 sectors, and thirteen superzones make up the whole Kanwar Mela region.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday placed a temporary stay on orders from state governments for restaurants along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners outside of their establishments.