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
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Tokyo millionaire walks away from beauty empire to chase past life visions in Shiva's land during Kanwar Yatra
Among thousands of saffron-draped sadhus and common people, heading to Haridwar for the Kanwar Yatra, one stands out, Hoshi Takayuki, 41, a former Japanese entrepreneur who once ran a chain of 15 beauty product stores in Tokyo. But now? He is Bala Kumbha Gurumuni, a Lord Shiva devotee on a soul-searching journey through Uttarakhand. From Tokyo to Trishul: The unlikely yogi tale of Hoshi Takayuki What sparked this transformation? A spiritual rollercoaster that started two decades ago in Tamil Nadu. During a trip, Takayuki stumbled upon a Nadi astrology centre, yes, the ancient palm-leaf-reading thing, and the predictions apparently blew his mind. He was told that he had once lived as a Himalayan sage and was destined to return to Hindu spirituality. Talk about a plot twist. A Lord #Shiva devotee, Takayuki has built two shrines in the deity's honour; but his spiritual journey began 20 years ago with a trip to #TamilNadu, where an astrological reading "revealed his past life".Details here 🔗 Dreams, destiny, and a full-blown Shiva obsession Back in Tokyo, Takayuki said he dreamt of being in Uttarakhand in another lifetime. That one dream set off a chain reaction. He soon handed over his business empire to his followers (power move, honestly) and dedicated himself entirely to a spiritual life. Fast-forward to today, he has transformed his Tokyo home into a full-fledged Shiva temple and even constructed a second shrine. He now goes by his spiritual name, which he said was revealed in a second Nadi reading, Bala Kumbha Gurumuni. Kanwar Yatra, ashrams, and big plans for India Takayuki is not walking this path alone. He is currently in India with a squad of 20 followers, offering free food to fellow kanwariyas in a Dehradun camp. According to his long-time friend and Japan-based Indian consultant Ramesh Sundriyal, Takayuki is planning to set up an ashram in Uttarakhand and has already bought 35 acres in Puducherry to build a majestic Shiva temple. The spiritual influencer, because let's be honest, he kind of is one—says he still feels deeply connected to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and is convinced he lived there in a past life. He is still searching for what he calls 'his lost village.' Now that is what you call a full-circle reincarnation arc.
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
After Kanwar Yatra rush, Haridwar battles waste; Delhi hit by noise, jams
On the final day of the Kanwar Yatra on Wednesday, Haridwar witnessed a massive influx of devotees. Thousands arrived in the early hours to take a holy dip in River Ganga on the occasion of Shravan Shivratri. The fortnight-long yatra witnessed a footfall of over 40 million devotees. The huge footfall has reportedly left Haridwar grappling with huge quantities of waste. The Haridwar Municipal Corporation estimates that between 30,000 to 35,000 metric tonnes of garbage may have been generated during the mela period, according to a report by the Hindustan Times. Over 1,000 additional sanitation workers have been deployed to manage the cleanup operations in Haridwar and nearby areas. Kanwar Yatra: Devotees still arriving as others depart According to data from the Kanwar Mela control room, the pilgrim rush peaked in the final days of the yatra, the news report said. Devotees began arriving from July 11, collecting holy water from the Ganga to offer to Lord Shiva. As of Tuesday evening, most pilgrims had departed, but thousands were still entering the city even as cleanup efforts began. Kanwar Yatra 2025: Traffic, noise complaints surge in Delhi In Delhi, the Kanwar Yatra caused a spike in noise and traffic-related issues. Delhi Police received over 350 complaints in the last five days, especially after the start of Dak Kanwar, a more intense form of the yatra where pilgrims move quickly with the holy water, news agency PTI reported. A senior police official said the Southern Range received around 40 such complaints on Monday alone. In the Central Range, there were 25 noise complaints and about 50 related to traffic jams. "We are witnessing a rise in calls regarding traffic snarls and high-decibel religious processions, especially in areas like ITO, Anand Vihar, Dhaula Kuan, Mehrauli and Outer Ring Road, where Kanwariyas are passing in large numbers," the officer told PTI. Supreme Court orders hotels to display licences The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed hotels and eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh to clearly display their licences and registration certificates, as required by law. A Bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said, 'We are told that today is the last day of the yatra. In any case it is likely to come to an end in the near future. Therefore, at this stage we would only pass an order that all the respective hotel owners shall comply with the mandate of displaying the licence and the registration certificate as per the statutory requirements.' QR code mandate under scrutiny Last year, the top court stayed similar orders issued by the state governments, which required eateries to display owners' names and details. Referring to a June 25 press release from the Uttar Pradesh government, petitioners argued that the QR code rule could lead to "discriminatory profiling". Advocate Jha, representing the petitioners, said, 'The new measures mandate the display of QR codes on all eateries along the Kanwar route which reveal the names and identities of the owners, thereby achieving the same discriminatory profiling that was previously stayed by this court.' The petition also argued that forcing stall owners to reveal their religious and caste identities under the guise of licence requirements violates their right to privacy.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Kanwar Yatra rush slows Capital down
NEW DELHI: As the annual Kanwar Yatra enters its final stretch, lakhs of saffron-clad pilgrims carrying sacred Ganga water continue to pass through Delhi, leaving the city grappling with chaos, noise and civic disruptions. What is a spiritual journey for many has turned into a daily struggle for residents, as public infrastructure is overwhelmed and basic urban services are stretched thin. In neighbourhoods across east, central and south Delhi, makeshift camps have been set up on footpaths and sidewalks, many spilling onto busy roads. These camps, often erected without warning, have blocked pedestrian access in several areas, forcing people to walk on the roads amid ongoing traffic. 'The footpaths are completely taken over by the camps,' said Neha Mehra, a schoolteacher in Ashok Vihar. 'You have to walk in the middle of the road with vehicles whizzing by. It's unsafe, especially for children and elderly people.' Traffic congestion has worsened significantly due to the partial or complete closure of key roads by the Delhi Police. With routes like GT Road, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, and parts of Ring Road restricted to accommodate the pilgrims, daily commutes have become nightmares. Heavy rain have added to the misery, turning narrow lanes into slushy bottlenecks. 'It takes me twice as long to reach work now. The detours are ridiculous and there's no coordination between traffic police and civic agencies,' said Varun Joshi, a Noida resident. But for many, the most unbearable aspect has been the relentless noise. Loudspeakers mounted on Kanwar vehicles blare devotional songs at all hours, often well past midnight. 'Our windows literally rattle,' said Gaurav Bhardwaj, an IT professional. 'I have a six-month-old daughter who hasn't slept properly in days. Even earplugs don't help.' Many residents say their complaints to the police about noise violations have gone unanswered. According to police officials, over 200 complaints related to noise and traffic snarls were received in the past weekend alone, with enforcement teams deployed in sensitive zones. But ground-level enforcement remains spotty. Waste accumulation is another major concern. With a sharp increase in footfall along pilgrim routes, garbage, especially plastic bottles, food wrappers, and discarded clothing, has piled up near the camps.
