UP, Telangana schools shut for Kanwar Yatra and Bonalu celebrations
Given the heavy footfall and expected traffic bottlenecks during the pilgrimage, especially with Shivratri falling on July 23, local administrations have enforced precautionary shutdowns of schools, colleges, and even Anganwadi centres to avoid disruption and ensure safety.In Meerut, District Magistrate Dr. VK Singh has ordered that all schools affiliated with the UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE remain closed until July 23. The administration has warned of strict action against any institution that violates the directive.Similar measures have been taken in Muzaffarnagar, where District Magistrate Arvind Mallappa Bangari, along with DIOS Rajesh Kumar, has issued a notice mandating the closure of all educational bodies—including those under council, secondary, and technical boards—during the same period.BONALU FESTIVALS BRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY IN TELANGANAMeanwhile, in Telangana, the state government has declared a general holiday on Monday, July 21, for schools in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and surrounding districts, to mark the vibrant Bonalu festival.Bonalu is an important regional celebration dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, observed with traditional offerings, folk music, and elaborate temple processions. Women carry decorated pots of food—known as Bonam—to temples as part of the ritual. The festival, typically held in July, sees widespread participation, and authorities have declared the school holiday to allow communities to fully engage in the cultural celebrations.- EndsMust Watch
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh CM Sai showers flowers on Kanwariyas from chopper; unveils Rs146cr Bhoramdeo spiritual tourism plan
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday organized a flower shower from a helicopter over thousands of Kanwariyas (Shiva devotees) marching in Kabirdham district as part of the third Monday of the holy Sawan month. Speaking to the media at the airstrip, CM Sai said that the govt is developing 'Bhoramdeo corridor' with a budget of Rs 146 crore which will have special facilities for pilgrims. We are also in talks with the Madhya Pradesh govt to provide land in Amarkantak for setting up rest houses for Kanwariyas, CM said. Chief Minister along with deputy chief ministers Vijay Sharma, Arun Sao, and assembly speaker Dr. Raman Singh, took part in the spiritual celebration. Each year, Kanwariyas undertake a 100-km foot march from Amarkantak in MP to Bhoramdeo in Chhattisgarh, to offer sacred water at the historic temple. The govt organized a grand welcome, with local MLA Bhawna Bohra leading arrangements at Kabirdham. Across the region, saffron-clad men and women filled the streets, singing devotional songs and waving tricolour Kanwars. Chief Minister Sai said, 'Rs 146 crore spiritual tourism project under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme will be developed as 'Bhoramdeo Corridor', aimed at transforming the iconic 11th-century temple into a holistic religious destination.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The announcement coincided with a grand floral shower by helicopter over Kanwar pilgrims at Bhoramdeo. Speaking to the media, CM Sai said the project would not only revamp the historic Bhoramdeo Temple complex but also integrate other spiritually significant sites, including Madwa Mahal, Cherki Mahal, Ramchua, and Saroda Reservoir, creating a seamless spiritual and heritage circuit. Located in Choura village, 18 km from Kawardha, the Bhoramdeo Temple is a sacred 11th-century archaeological marvel where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Baba Bhoramdeo. Thousands of pilgrims from Kabirdham, Mungeli, Bemetara, Khairagarh, Rajnandgaon, and even Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh are participating this year as they undertake this journey barefoot, wearing saffron clothes, trekking up to 150 kilometers through rocky forest paths, reaffirming their faith with each step. To facilitate the 151-kilometer Kanwar Yatra, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma said that medical teams and police patrols have been deployed across key routes, including Kawardha-Bemetara Highway, Bhoramdeo Road, and forest stretches near Pandariya and Kukdoor.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
26th batch of 1,635 pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath Yatra
Braving heavy rains, more than 1600 pilgrims left Jammu on Monday (July 28, 2025) for the twin base camps of the cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas amid tight security arrangements. The 38-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high shrine, which commenced on July 3 from the valley, has recorded darshan of the ice lingam of Lord Shiva by more than 3.77 lakh pilgrims. Escorted by CRPF and police personnel, the 23rd batch of 1,635 pilgrims, which included 1,303 men, 286 women, four children, and 42 sadhus and sadhvis, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here in 59 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir between 3:25 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., the officials said. The first convoy, carrying 374 pilgrims in 17 vehicles, left for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in the Ganderbal district, followed by the second convoy of 1,262 pilgrims in 62 vehicles, who are undertaking the yatra via the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district, they said. Chanting "Bum Bum Bhole" and ''Har Har Mahdev'' with enthusiasm, pilgrims braved heavy rains while leaving for the cave shrine. With this, a total of 14,12,95 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch. Last year, more than 5.10 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine, which houses a naturally formed ice lingam. The pilgrimage is scheduled to end on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
KV Dham ready to welcomedevotees on 3rd Shrawan Monday
Varanasi: Preparations for third Monday of Shrawan were finalised in Kashi amid pleasant weather conditions as saffron-clad started converging in large numbers on Sunday. Officials were busy enforcing traffic and crowd regulation arrangements, while Vishwanath Gali traders association began preparations to facilitate 'jalabhishek' ritual. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In view of directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who will be in the city on Monday, officials were enhancing facilities for pilgrims and Kanwariyas to ensure easy and safe visits during overcast conditions and in case of heavy rains on the third Monday. Special attention was paid to proper sanitation, the availability of drinking water, and necessary resources on the routes leading to Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Officials also kept a sharp vigil on Kanwariya camps. K ashi Vishwanath Temple authorities are ensuring opportunity for pilgrims to get a glimpse of Lord Vishwanath adorned in different forms every Monday of Shrawan. The temple's chief executive officer, Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, said that on third Monday of Shrawan, the deity will be adorned in special form of 'Ardhanarishvara' during the evening Shringar Aarti. Meanwhile, police commissioner Mohit Agrawal and other senior officials were busy monitoring arrangements finalised for managing the crowd, especially on Mondays of the auspicious month. A no-vehicle zone was created between Maidagin and Godowlia as queues of devotees, especially Kanwariyas, began to form from Sunday evening to offer Jalabhishek on the third Monday at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Traffic restrictions and diversions were already implemented on main routes of Vishwanath Dham from Saturday night. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials mentioned that to avoid problems, especially for elderly and disabled visitors in reaching the temple from Godowlia and Maidagin points, temple administration will operate e-rickshaws up to Gate-4 of Kashi Vishwanath Dham. All other arrangements, including a lost and found centre with multilingual staff, medical and ambulance services in case of emergencies, sheds and German hangers, have been in place since the beginning of Shrawan to protect from weather conditions, including rain, sun, and heat. For the convenience of devotees, live broadcasts of the sanctum sanctorum's worship are being shown on LED TVs at several locations. Agrawal said women police officers had been deployed on all Kanwar routes. Additionally, large number of women police constables have been stationed. Extra women police forces are deployed at all police stations, permanent and temporary police posts. Furthermore, women police are stationed at Kashi Vishwanath Temple and ghats. Police personnel have been trained in soft skills to ensure they interact with all devotees with respect and courtesy, and assist them in all necessary ways. Women police personnel have been trained on various aspects for safety, respect, empowerment and self-reliance of women and children. For crowd surveillance, eight drones and over 2,000 CCTV cameras are being utilised.
