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The Print
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Print
UP govt turns Kanwar Yatra into high-tech spiritual operation
The Yogi Adityanath-led administration turned the month-long pilgrimage into a coordinated model of 'service and security', with digital surveillance, traffic control, public health services and emergency-response teams all working in sync across the state. The arrangements this year marked a major deployment of tech and manpower in a religious event since the Maha Kumbh held earlier in Prayagraj. Lucknow, Jul 23 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government mounted a massive, technology-driven effort this year to ensure that the annual Kanwar Yatra passed off seamlessly and safely. Held every year during the Hindu holy month of Shravan, the Kanwar Yatra sees lakhs of Shiva devotees, called Kanwariyas, travel on foot, often covering hundreds of kilometres, to collect sacred water from the Ganga and offer it at local Shiva temples. The event is a spectacular convergence of faith and endurance, deeply rooted in India's Sanatan traditions. With Wednesday marking the Shivratri of Shravan, the yatra reached its crescendo even though the pilgrims would continue to visit Shiva temples for some more time till the culmination of the auspicious Hindu month. According to officials, this year's elaborate planning includes the deployment of over 29,000 CCTV cameras, 395 high-tech drones, 587 officers, 13,520 sub-inspectors and nearly 40,000 constables. A dedicated Social Media Monitoring Cell was also activated to respond swiftly to any concerns raised by devotees or citizens. 'The Kanwar Yatra is underway. Every person, from the working class to the upper class, is connected with this campaign. It is a remarkable confluence of unity. There is no discrimination, no difference of caste, region, class, faith, or community. Everyone chants 'Har-Har Bam-Bam' as they walk. They travel 300-400 kilometres on foot, carry the sacred water on their shoulders and return with the same devotion,' said Chief Minister Adityanath, who also conducted an aerial survey of the routes in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar, showering petals from a helicopter in a symbolic gesture of reverence. From modern control rooms and drones to ATS personnel, RAF teams and Quick Response Teams (QRTs), the state machinery has been operating around the clock to monitor the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage particularly sees surging crowds on Mondays — the day specially devoted to Lord Shiva, with authorities focussing on the management of lakhs of devotees at prominent temples. DIG, Varanasi Range, Vaibhav Krishna said, 'Technology has played an important role in managing Kanwar Yatra in eastern Uttar Pradesh districts like Chandauli, Ghazipur, Jaunpur also.' 'We have used technology to streamline various aspects like advance estimation of crowd and quick response during this Kanwar Yatra,' Krishna, who also served as the DIG, Maha Kumbh, told PTI. In western Uttar Pradesh, Kalanidhi Naithani, DIG, Meerut Range, said, 'The government, administration and police have issued various directives to ensure that this festival is safe and smooth. On one hand, the administration is busy with preparations — cleaning roads and temples, arranging medical camps — and on the other hand, fire service personnel are continuously deployed for fire safety.' 'Surveillance is also being conducted using drones and CCTV cameras. The route from Prayagraj to Varanasi has been made one-way for traffic management. One lane on this route is exclusively designated for Kanwar devotees, with the movement of other travellers restricted,' said Kuldeep Singh Gunawat, DCP, Prayagraj. Along the pilgrimage corridors, dedicated Kanwar routes have been marked, help desks and relief centres established, and welcome gates set up to receive the devotees. The spiritual journey has also been enhanced by designated selfie points and cleanliness drives at major congregation points. Healthcare was another pillar of the state's Kanwar plan. The government had set up 24×7 medical camps along major routes, staffed with trained personnel and stocked with essential supplies. 'Special arrangements have been made wherever the crowd is large. The main problem faced by the Kanwariyas is blisters and pain in their feet. Special provisions have been made for this as well. Additionally, each camp is stocked with 55 medicines, including anti-snake venom, ARV vaccine, and anti-diarrheal drugs. Our entire staff remains present at these camps 24 hours a day,' said Dr Sunil Tewatia, Chief Medical Officer, Muzaffarnagar. For many devotees, the arrangements made the tough journey more comfortable. 'I sincerely thank Yogi Adityanath for providing us with such excellent arrangements here. Whether it is accommodation or other facilities, everything has been very well organised,' said Umesh Kumar Maurya, a Kanwariya. 'This time, the grand arrangements made for the Kanwariyas in Banaras — whether it is the administrative management of travel routes or the facilities at Baba's place in the fair area — have never been seen before. All this has been made possible by the vision and determination of Yogiji,' said Prabhat Ojha, another devotee. Officials say efforts will be in full swing till the last Kanwariya safely reaches his destination. PTI KIS RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Amavasya in July 2025: Date, Time, Rituals and Significance of Shravan Amavasya
Amavasya holds a immense religious and spiritual significance in Hindu religion as it is dedicated to honor ancestors. This is the month of Shravan and the Amavasya that falls in this month known Shravan Amavasya or Hariyali Amavasya also because it is monsoon season and it is the time for transformation, patience, new planning, rebirth and fertility. This month, Shravan Amavasya is being observed today i.e., July 24, 2025. Shravan Amavasya July 2025: Date and Time Amavasya Tithi Begins - July 24, 2025 - 02:28 AM Amavasya Tithi Ends - July 25, 2025 - 12:40 AM Shravan Amavasya 2025: Significance According to Hindu Scriptures, Shravan Amavasya is one of the most potent day to perform various religious and spiritual activities. Amavasya that falls in the month of Shravan known as Shravan Amavasya and Hariyali Amavasya is also being celebrated on this sacred day. This day is considered as the powerful day to perform Pitru Dosha Puja, Pitru Tarpan and worship ancestors. Many devotees visit Ganga Ghats to take a holy dip in sacred Ganga river. This day is also considered significant for the charity and donation. One must get involved in religious activities and those who do that, get blessed with purity, tranquility, and peace. Thi day is also celebrated as Hariyali Amavasya and considered an auspicious festival, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and devotees offer prayers to them and show their gratitude. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo It is believed that people who observe fast and worship Maa Parvati and Lord Mahadeva, get blessed with the desired wish fulfillments. Shravan Amavasya 2025: Puja Rituals Wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath at home or at Ganga Ghat. Offer Arghya to Lord Surya then offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati by lighting a diya with desi ghee and offer them sweets, and fruits. Visit temple where you can do Gathbaandhan during the time of Guru Pushya Yoga. Do charity and donations and in the evening offer Arghya to Moon God.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Food policing again
Ghaziabad: A week after a vigilante group forced a KFC outlet in Vasundhara to serve vegetarian items in the month of Shravan, another incident of food policing has emerged in the city. The latest incident, far more intrusive, came to light after a video of it was shared widely on social media. The 2.5-minute clip purportedly shows two Bajrang Dal members intercepting a Blinkit rider who was out to deliver an order in Vijay Nagar. The men ask the rider for his name and then direct him to show the items he is delivering. As the rider complies, the men spot a non-vegetarian item in the order. "You are a Hindu, and you're doing (delivering a non-veg item) this – aren't you ashamed?" the "Bajrang" member in the video says to the rider. He then goes on to tell the rider to call the customer and talk to her. With the call on speaker phone, the video shows the vigilante "advising" the customer not to eat non-vegetarian food during Sawan. It is only after the customer identifies her religion as Christian that the vigilante in the video allows the rider to proceed with the delivery. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida The clip, towards the ending, cuts to the Bajrang Dal member apparently standing at a dark store of the online delivery service and says the staff has agreed not to sell non-vegetarian items during Shravan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Filipinos don't know about this! Read More Undo Asked about the video, a Bajrang Dal member in Ghaziabad, Subhash, told TOI that the man in the video is a member of the outfit. The incident, Subhash said, occurred on Tuesday. "We have requested all restaurants and grocery stores not to sell non-vegetarian food till Shivratri . Whenever we found any person selling non-veg food, we reached there and asked them to sell only vegetarian items. The restriction is for some days only, and people of the district also support this initiative," Subhash said. Kotwali ACP Ritesh Tripathi said the incident took place in Vijay Nagar and a team has been formed to investigate the matter. "We have not received any complaint over the incident till now," the ACP said. Multiple such incidents have been reported in NCR since preparations for kanwar yatra, which is observed during Shravan, began earlier this month. Last week, members of the Hindu Raksha Dal protested in front of a KFC outlet and Nazeer restaurant in Sector 11 of Vasundhara. The KFC outlet gave in to the outfit's intimidation and put up a notice, saying: "We are serving only veg." Ghaziabad police finally intervened and assured the outlet that there's no such restriction. A senior police officer iterated on Wednesday that there was no curb on selling non-vegetarian food items. "Stores are selling non-veg items, and police have assured them help," the officer added. Blinkit did not respond to requests for comment on the video and the incident till Wednesday evening. The matter also reached the Supreme Court, which on Tuesday refused to stay UP govt's order mandating restaurants along kanwar yatra route to display QR codes along with the names of owners. The court, which was hearing a petition against UP govt's order, said it would not get into all the issues at this stage but directed restaurant owners to display their license and registration certificates as required under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress protests ‘forced' entry into Mahakal temple sanctum by BJP MLA & son
Ujjain: Congress workers staged a protest outside Mahakal temple administrator's office on Wednesday over the alleged forced entry into the sanctum sanctorum by BJP MLA and his son last Monday. Led by city Congress president Mukesh Bhati, party workers demanded an FIR against the son of BJP legislator and called for removal of two officials involved in the investigation. Congress protesters marched in the rain from the city party office to Mahakal temple administration office, carrying placards. They demanded immediate arrest of Rudraksh Shukla, son of BJP legislator from Indore-3 Golu Shukla. The protesting Congress leaders alleged that on the second Monday of Shravan month during Bhasma Aarti, the legislator and his son forcibly entered the sanctum sanctorum, disregarding the rules. They described the incident as a violation of the temple's dignity and 'religious decorum.' Shukla refuted the allegations and told TOI that he did not enter the sanctum. "There were over 6,000 devotees with me. We did not enter the sanctum and offered prayers from the Nandi Hall," he said. The protesting Congress leaders were also up in arms against the Mahakal temple administration and sought resignation of its administrator Pratham Kaushik over the incident. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Bhati said that deputy administrator SN Soni, who is part of the investigation committee, was himself responsible for protocol violations and therefore culpable. "Alongside him is security in-charge Jayant Rathore, who, as ASP, is accused of unauthorised entry into the sanctum sanctorum. How can an impartial investigation be expected from them?" he said. The Congress demanded that the general public be allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum daily from 12 to 4 pm. Soni refuted Congress charges and said that he was part of the investigation committee following the orders of the temple committee's chairman and the district collector. "I am complying with the orders and will continue to do so," he said. The protesting Congress leaders were also of the view that BJP has 'hijacked' entry to the temple. Party leader Maya Rajesh Trivedi questioned, "Has the Mahakal temple become personal property of BJP leaders? Ordinary devotees can't even reach the temple's threshold, but all doors are open for ministers, legislators, and their families." They insisted that the temple administration clarify whether the rules were same for everyone or if there were special exemptions for BJP leaders. State BJP spokesperson Rajpal Singh Sisodia said that the BJP is a party that values discipline. "Our leaders, workers, and their families are expected to maintain discipline. If anyone breaches discipline, our president takes corrective action," he said.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Drunk driving checks to be held before Shravan in Nashik
N ashik: With the holy month of Shravan beginning on Friday, a period when many abstain from alcohol, Nashik police are stepping up their efforts to curb drink and drive incidents. Recognizing the potential for increased cases of drunk driving on Thursday, the city police commissionerate has planned to undertake intensified checks. ACP (crime) Sandeep Mitke said a "stop and search" operation was already conducted on Wednesday night under the guidance of commissioner of police Sandeep Karnik. "However, the focus on drunk driving will be significantly increased throughout Thursday," he said. Checkpoints will be established in various parts of the city starting Thursday afternoon to address the risk of drunk driving. The senior officers from the city's traffic branch, while talking to TOI, confirmed that they have ample breathalyzers to test suspected motorists. "Such drives would ensure there is awareness among people about the police action against drunk driving. If someone is drinking alcohol, then they should take a cab or ask someone to drive their vehicle instead of jeopardising their life and that of others on the streets," a police officer said. Cases of drunk driving are notable in the city on the day ahead of Shravan month and on New Year's Eve.
