Kanwariyas barred from entering Haridwar; 14 days quarantine on arrival

After the ban on the annual Kanwar Yatra, if any Kanwariyas enter Uttarakhand's Haridwar they will have to serve a 14-day quarantine at their own expenses. The decision was taken at a coordination meeting held on Wednesday with the DMs and SPs of neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

"The meeting was held to devise a strategy in consultation with top officials of neighbouring districts for strict implementation of the ban in view of public safety," Haridwar District Magistrate C Ravishankar said.

The District Magistrate told news agencies to maintain a strict vigil and not allow any kanwariya to enter the city, adding that in case they sneak into the holy city, they will be quarantined for 14 days at their own cost.

The Kanwar Yatra this year has been cancelled owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was taken at the meeting between he chief ministers of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana via videoconferencing on Saturday.

Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage of Lord Shiva's devotees known as Kanwars, who visit Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of the River Ganga during the auspicious Hindu month of Shravan.

The order has been issued keeping in view the increasing number of devotees visiting Haridwar and the possibility of the virus infecting large number of people.