UP Government Defends Kanwar Order, Asserts it Ensures Peace and Order During Pilgrimage

New Delhi, July 25, 2024 – The Uttar Pradesh government has staunchly defended its directive requiring shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display their names, responding to petitions challenging the order in the Supreme Court. The state government detailed its position, emphasizing that the directive aims to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.

In its submission to the Supreme Court, the UP government explained that the directive was issued following specific complaints from Kanwariyas about confusion caused by shop and eatery names. The Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage where devotees of Lord Shiva fetch holy water from the Ganges River, attracts millions of participants each year.

“The yatra is an arduous journey, with some Kanwariyas, such as the Dak Kanwariyas, not stopping to rest once the Kanwar is on their shoulders. Sacred aspects of the pilgrimage, like not placing the Kanwar on the ground or under the shadow of the gular tree, are crucial. A Kanwaria embarks on the Yatra after years of preparation,” the government stated.

The directive aims to address concerns raised by pilgrims regarding the preparation of food in line with religious practices. The opposition has criticized the directive as ‘anti-Muslim’ and divisive, but the government insists it is a measure to address genuine concerns and enhance the pilgrimage experience.

The Kanwar Yatra commenced on July 22, marking the first Monday of ‘Sawan.’ Devotees flocked to temples, including the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, the Kali Paltan temple in Meerut, and the Jharkhandi Mahadev Temple in Gorakhpur, to offer prayers and take holy dips in the Ganga.