By Our Staff Reporter
Haridwar, 23 Jul: The Kanwar Yatra is currently in full swing in the state, particularly in Haridwar district. In view of the ongoing yatra, orders have been issued to close schools for 7 days in Haridwar district, from 27 July to 2 August. The decision has been taken in view of anticipated rush of pilgrims during this period. As per the orders issued by the district administration, all schools and Anganwadi centres from class one to 12 will remain closed in Haridwar district.
It may be recalled that Kanwar Mela is held every year in the month of Sawan in the country and during this time, a large number of Kanwarias reach the famous Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to collect Ganga water which is taken on foot till the native place of the Kanwar pilgrims and offered to Lord Shiva in the nearest Shiva temples. During this period, Haridwar becomes overcrowded with Kanwarias and all important roads like Delhi-Haridwar Highway, Dehradun-Delhi Highway and Dehradun-Haridwar also become packed with the pilgrims. The orders to close schools during this one week long peak period of the Mela, have been issued to ensure that the students, especially children do not face any undue inconvenience due to Kanwar Mela.
Haridwar District Administration and the state government are anticipating that, this year, the estimated number of Kanwarias coming to Haridwar may cross 3 crores. Yesterday was the first official day of the Mela and it was the first Monday of the holy month of Sawan and on this day, 2.40 lakh thousand Kanwarias reached Haridwar and filled Ganga water from Har ki Pauri in the vessels brought by them. Due to astrological factors, it is expected that the crowd of the Kanwarias will be somewhat less for the first three days. However, from 26 July onwards, a huge crowd of Kanwarias is expected to visit Haridwar.
Haridwar District Magistrate Dhiraj Garbyal in his order has stated that due to the start of the Kanwar Mela, the number of Kanwarias is expected to increase every day. In such a situation, route diversion and closure of many routes become necessary. Schools are being closed so that students and local people do not face any problems. In this order, the district administration has also given instructions to close all the Anganwadi Centres of Haridwar from 27 July till 2 August. It is being claimed that many schools in the district have already switched on to online classes since yesterday and this will continue till 2 August.
