In light of the epidemic, the Kanwar Yatra has been canceled in Delhi, only one day after the Uttar Pradesh government prohibited the holy festival. An official order issued on Sunday said that no festivities, processions, or gatherings linked to the yatra, which begins on July 25, will be permitted in the national capital.
“Despite the fact that the Kanwar Yatra has been banned in Uttarakhand, there is a risk of the virus spreading owing to crowding or taking out processions, in light of which this decision has been taken,” the Delhi Disaster Management Authority’s directive stated.
Experts have voiced concerns about a possible third wave of the epidemic and the risk presented by such crowds, prompting the Uttarakhand government to cancel the event.
Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, had previously stated that all governments and individuals must take the necessary steps to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Thousands of Lord Shiva worshippers, known as kanwariyas, go primarily on foot from Haridwar to gather water from the Ganges to present at Shiva temples back home during the yatra, which runs until the first week of August.
The Supreme Court stated it couldn’t allow the state administration to “conduct 100 percent physical Kanwar Yatra in light of Covid,” prompting the decision to prohibit the annual religious festival in Uttar Pradesh. It further said that religious beliefs are subordinate to the Right to Life.
Because of the epidemic, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that state governments should not allow any type of Kanwar yatra and that preparations should be made for water from the Ganges to be provided via tankers at specific locations.
Last year, during the initial wave of the epidemic, the Kanwar Yatra was also canceled.
