New Delhi: The holy Kanwar Yatra has begun in the holy month of Sawan. Meanwhile, sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a directive to the state governments to strengthen the security of the Kanwariyas citing threats from radical elements. Based on the intelligence bureau report, the Home Ministry has issued an advisory to several states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh to beef up security arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra.
The Railway Board has also been directed to tighten the security of trains in view of the threat perception. Sources said that as per the advisory, a large number of policemen should be deployed to deal with any kind of threat during the Kanwar Yatra. Amidst tight security arrangements, on the first day of the Hindu month of Sawan on Thursday, taking the name of Lord Ganesha the Kanwar Yatra started, in which the devotees of Lord Shiva reached Haridwar in large numbers to take Gangajal.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Kanwar Yatra is taking place after a gap of two years. Officials estimate that at least four crores of Kanwariyas will arrive in Haridwar and Rishikesh to receive Gangajal during the nearly fortnight-long fair. Kanwariyas from several states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan go to Haridwar and Rishikesh and collect Gangajal and return to their homes and have the Jal Abhishek of Lord Bholenath in the temples.
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