Meerut: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday cautioned devotees participating in the Kanwar Yatra against disruptive elements attempting to tarnish the sanctity of the religious event. He called on Kanwar Sanghs and pilgrims to remain alert and report any suspicious individuals posing as devotees with the intent to cause trouble.
Addressing the media during his visit to Meerut, CM Yogi said, “A few elements are continuously trying to damage and defame the fervour and devotion associated with the Kanwar Yatra. Whether on social media or on the ground, such attempts must be countered. I urge every Kanwar Sangh to expose those pretending to be devotees but behaving like hooligans. They should not be allowed to join the Yatra, and the administration must be informed immediately.”
He praised the spirit of the Yatra, calling it a symbol of devotion and social harmony. “It is heartening to see Shiva devotees displaying such discipline and devotion in their journey. The spiritual energy and dedication in their ‘sadhna’ should be encouraged,” he added.
The Uttar Pradesh government has deployed extensive measures to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims, including 24/7 surveillance through CCTV and immediate response teams to deal with any incidents. CM Yogi also conducted an aerial survey of the pilgrimage route, including Chaudhary Charan Singh Kanwar Marg and the Meerut-Muzaffarnagar road, to oversee arrangements.
As part of a broader initiative to ensure transparency and safety, the state government has mandated all eateries along the Yatra route to display QR codes providing details about the shop owners.
The annual Kanwar Yatra, which began on July 10 this year, sees millions of devotees—known as Kanwariyas—collect holy water from rivers and walk long distances to offer it at Lord Shiva temples. The Yatra takes place during the Hindu holy month of Sawan, which this year spans from July 11 to August 9.
Sawan is a deeply spiritual period in Hindu tradition, marked by fasting, devotional songs, the chanting of Lord Shiva’s mantras, and rituals such as Rudrabhishek. It holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, who observe it with immense dedication and reverence across temples and households nationwide.
