Akhara Parishad supports cancellation of Kanwar Yatra in UP

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) has supported the Yogi Adityanath government’s decision to cancel the Kanwar Yatra in view of the ongoing pandemic. The Kanwar unions decided to call off the yatra late Saturday night after the Supreme Court asked the state government to cancel the event.

Uttarakhand had already canceled the Kanwar Yatra

ABAP President Mahant Narendra Giri said, “On behalf of the Akhara Parishad, I would like to appeal to the Shiva devotees not to take out the Kanwar Yatra in view of the possible third wave of the COVID-19 epidemic.” Offer the Parthiv Shivling (Shivling made of clay) and the water of river Ganga or the water of the village pond to Lord Shiva in your house.

He further said that though the Chief Minister of the state wanted the Kanwar Yatra to be conducted following all the prescribed COVID-19 protocols, but at the same time it is the moral responsibility of the devotees to see that their actions are likely to trigger the third wave of the pandemic. Do not increase

Giri said, therefore it is advised that the puja should be done by making the mortal remains in their respective homes or if all the devotees decide to visit the neighboring Shiva temple, they should follow the prescribed protocol.

He further said that common man’s life is also as important as religious practices, so the best option is that we should not travel this year like last year.

Mahant Hari Giri, Chief Patron of Juna Akhara said, “The Akhara Parishad has taken the right decision as religious sentiments are high while taking out the Kanwar Yatra and devotees often forget to maintain a safe distance between themselves and the crowd and group of devotees. This can increase the risk of spreading the virus and invite a third wave unnecessarily.