Amid UP government indecision, 30 religious bodies say no to Kanwar processions

Nearly 30 associations in Varanasi including Kanwar Sanghs and cultural organizations have assured the city police that no Kanwar processions – annual pilgrimages by devotees of Lord Shiva -- will be carried out from July 25.

Other rituals routinely held in the Hindu month of Shravan will also be put off, they have said.

“We received written statements from about 25-30 associations - Kanwar sanghs as well as other related associations - who agreed that no processions will be taken out. Those who hold shivirs (camps) for the devotees have also said no camps will be put up,” Vikas Tripathi, Additional DCP, Kashi zone in Varanasi, told ET.


On Friday, the Supreme Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to reconsider its decision on continuing with the yatra, saying that the health and right to life of citizens was above religious sentiment.

It sought the state government's reply by Monday.

With neighbouring Uttarakhand closed off for Kanwar yatra this year, districts like Varanasi and Prayagraj in eastern UP, as well as Garh Mukhteshwar in Hapur and Anupshahr in Bulandshahr in the western region of the state, are being seen as places where devotees might congregate to collect water from the river Ganga – a key ritual of the pilgrimage.

Devotees from outside the state have been disallowed though.

There has been no official word from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on this front, but government officials have asked Kanwar associations and others to refrain from taking out processions.

State health minister Jai Pratap Singh said while Adityanath would take a final call on the yatra, the health department has suggested strict protocols if the yatra does take place.