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U.P. CM conducts aerial survey of Kanwar Yatra
Yogi Adityanath surveys routes, temples in western U.P. districts, instructs to set up health posts along the yatra routes
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday undertook an aerial survey of the routes of ongoing Kanwar Yatra and temples in western part of the state. He surveyed Kanwar routes in Meerut, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar and other districts of the region. He also surveyed Puramahadev temple in Baghpat and Augharnath temple in Meerut where Kanwarias will gather in large numbers to offer “Gangajal” of their Kanwar to Lord Shiva on Tuesday.
In another helicopter, IG, Meerut range, Praveen Kumar, district magistrate of Meerut Deepak Meena and SSP Rohit Singh Sajwan showered flower petals on Kanwarias on the national highway (NH) 58 and near Augharnath Temple. District information officer Sumit Kumar said flower petals were showered soon after the aerial survey by the chief minister.
In a video conference with senior officials, the chief minister directed that health posts be set up at various places along the Kanwar Yatra route. There should not be any display of weapons or processions of that kind, the CM said. He instructed district magistrates and SPs to personally go to the spot where any untoward incident takes place.
Meanwhile, IG Praveen Kumar said that elaborate security arrangements had been made for Kanwarias in the region and the chief minister was closely monitoring Kanwar Yatra in west region of the state and taking feedback of arrangements made for Kanwaria
As per the IG, the cops had been directed to keep a close watch on women, Divyangs (differently-abled people) and children Kanwarias to ensure they did not face any difficulties during the annual religious event that got under way on July 14.
“It is not possible to provide escort to each Kanwaria but we are trying our best to support vulnerable groups like women, elderly, children and Divyangs,” he added. Kumar further said cops had been directed to ensure that no kanwaria slept on roads. The cops could also be seen providing medical assistance and food to Kanwarias in camps.
The IG said CCTV cameras had been installed across the region and officials were keeping a watch on the yatra through control rooms. They are also visit the yatra routes to interact with devotees and seek their feedback.
Police were also patrolling on motorbikes and other vehicles to ensure safety and security of Kanwarias. He further said volunteers, including Muslims, had extended their full support to the yatra. “We are seeking people’s help to ensure success of the yatra and have received their cooperation and support,” Kumar said.
Preparations for Shravan festival were being finalised at Puramahadev temple of Baghpat and Augharnath temple of Meerut Cantt where biggest congregations of Kanwarias is held every year.
Four-day Shravan Mela at Puramahadev temple started on Monday. Temple priest Jaibhagwan Sharma said thousands of Kanwarias had already started coming to the temple and were offering the Kanwar they had brought from Haridwar, Rishikesh and other places of Uttarakhand after covering a distance of hundreds of kilometres on feet.
The priest said this year crowd of devotees was bigger as compared to the previous year. He said it was expected that over 20 lakh Kanwarias would offer “Jal” at the temple this year.
Baghpat district magistrate Raj Kamal Yadav said elaborate security arrangements had been made around the temple and 1000 civil police and PAC personnel will be on duty there. Superintendent of police (SP), Baghpat, Neeraj Jadaun said 200 IP cameras had been installed around the temple to monitor security arrangements by keeping a direct contact with the cops on duty.
Helicopters are also expected to fly over the temple to strengthen security arrangements and flowers will be showered on devotees and the temple from these helicopters.
Similarly, Kanwarias have started reaching Augharnath temple in Meerut. Temple management committee’s secretary Satish Kumar Singhal said over 2.5 lakh Kanwarias were expected to visit the temple on Shivratri marking the end of the Kanwar Yatra on July 26.
He said 18 CCTV cameras had been installed inside the time premises and district administration had also installed cameras around the temple to keep a close watch on the security of Kanwarias. Meanwhile, adequate security arrangements, including barricading, had been made to ensure a hassle-free offering of “Jal” on Tuesday.
Moreover, Kanwarias in large numbers could be seen on the national highway (NH) 58. A majority of them were carrying Tricolour along with Kanwar and many tableaux. A number of people gathered on the roadside to watch the Kanwarias and their tableaux.
National president of Hindu Krantikari Sevadal Mahendra Puri also fetched Kanwar from Haridwar. He lives in a Shiv temple of Ghaziabad. He said he had fetched Kanwar for former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
Babu Khan, a Muslim of Ranchad village in Baghpat district, has also brought Kanwar from Haridwar third time and will offer it to Lord Shiva at Puramahadev temple of Baghpat. Wearing a skull cap and carrying a Kanwar, he is an attraction for many, including his fellow Kanwarias.
“I am a devout Muslim but respect all religions,” Khan said and added that he brought his first Kanwar in 2018. There was no Kanwar Yatra for two years due to Covid. He said scriptures of every religion teaches us love, affection and harmony. Khan said he cleaned a temple in his native village after offering namaz in the mosque.
Female Kanwarias are also participating in the yatra in large numbers. Majority of them are bringing Kanwar along with their family members and special arrangements have been made in roadside camps for women Kanwarias.
One Shivani from Delhi has brought Kanwar for the first time along with her husband. She said she is a devotee of Lord Shiva and has brought Kanwar for peace and happiness of her family.
Veermati of Jhajjar in Haryana has brought Kanwar for her son’s job. “I hope Baba Bholenath will listen to my request,” she said. Sarita and her husband Veerpal are from Gurugram who will walk back to their home carrying Kanwar on their shoulders. Sarita said she also wished for happiness and prosperity of her family and therefore brought Kanwar to seek blessings of God Shiva.
Meanwhile, BJP MP from Meerut Rajendra Agarwal visited different roadside camps on Sunday and met Kanwarias, enquired about their health and facilities they were getting and if they required anything. Union minister and BJP MP from Muzaffarnagar Dr Sanjeev Baliyan showered flowers on Kanwarias in Muzaffarnagar along with party leaders and supporters and also inspected the routes of devotees.
