Latest news with #Shiva
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Ghaziabad: CBSE, ICSE Schools To Remain Closed From July 17 Due To Kanwar Yatra
Last Updated: Not just CBSE, CISCE; institutions under technical education, higher education, and Madrasa/Sanskrit boards in the district will also observe a holiday starting tomorrow. Due to the Kanwar Yatra, all primary, upper primary, secondary schools, and schools recognized by the CBSE and ICSE boards, as well as institutions under technical education, higher education, and Madrasa/Sanskrit boards in the district, will observe a holiday starting tomorrow, July 17 up till July 23. 'In view of the Kanwar Yatra, all the primary/upper primary schools and secondary schools/schools recognized by CBSE and ICSE boards, schools run under technical education, higher education and Madrasa/Sanskrit boards of the district will have a holiday from 17-07-2025 to 23-07-2025," reads the official notice by DM Ghaziabad. कावड़ यात्रा के दृष्टिगत जनपद के समस्त प्राथमिक/उच्च प्राथमिक विद्यालय एवं माध्यमिक विद्यालय/CBSE व ICSE बोर्ड से मान्यता प्राप्त विद्यालय, प्राविधिक शिक्षा, उच्च शिक्षा तथा मदरसा/संस्कृत बोर्ड के अंतर्गत संचालित विद्यालयों में 17-07-2025 से 23-07-2025 तक अवकाश रहेगा। — DM Ghaziabad (@dm_ghaziabad) July 16, 2025 Schools in certain districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana will be closed on July 16, 2025, due to various reasons. In Meerut and Muzaffarnagar districts of Uttar Pradesh, all educational institutions will remain closed from July 16 to 23 due to the Kanwar Yatra 2025. During Sawan, millions of Shiva devotees participate in the Kanwar Yatra, leading to increased traffic and security issues. Schools in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar will be closed because of the heavy crowds and traffic disruptions during the Kanwar Yatra 2025, which is scheduled from July 16 to 23. Millions of Kanwariyas carry Ganga water and travel to Shiva temples. To ensure student safety, all government and private schools and colleges in these areas will remain closed, necessitating reliance on online studies or alternative arrangements. Apart from UP, all schools in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain will be closed every Monday from July 14 to August 11 to ensure the safety of children during the Kanwar Yatra. A large number of devotees from across the country will visit Ujjain Mahakal. The government has advised students and parents to check the status of their district and area before heading to school tomorrow. However, classes will be held on Sundays instead. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 14:43 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
5 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
UP School Holidays: Educational Institutions To Remain Closed In Several Districts From July 16 To 23
Last Updated: In Meerut and Muzaffarnagar districts of Uttar Pradesh, an order has been issued to keep all educational institutions closed from July 16 to 23 due to the Kanwar Yatra 2025. In some districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, schools have been announced to close on July 16, 2025 for different reasons. In Meerut and Muzaffarnagar districts of Uttar Pradesh, an order has been issued to keep all educational institutions closed from July 16 to 23 due to the Kanwar Yatra 2025. During the month of Sawan, millions of Shiva devotees participate in the Kanwar Yatra, causing increased traffic and security challenges. Schools in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar will be closed due to the heavy crowds and traffic disruptions during the Kanwar Yatra 2025, which runs from July 16 to 23. Millions of Kanwariyas carry Ganga water and travel towards Shiva temples. All government and private schools and colleges in these areas will also remain closed to ensure student safety, necessitating reliance on online studies or alternative arrangements. All schools in Ujjain Municipal Corporation area will remain closed every Monday from July 14 to August 11. Instead, classes will be held on Sunday. This will help in ensuring the safety of children during the Kanwar Yatra. Ujjain Mahakal will see a huge crowd of devotees from all over the country. All students and parents have been advised by the govt to check the status of their district and area before leaving for school tomorrow. Meanwhile, in Haryana, all private schools will remain closed on July 16 in protest against the murder of a school principal in Hisar. This incident occurred at Kartar Memorial School in Hisar, raising safety concerns among the teacher community. These decisions have been made in both states considering the local conditions and public interest. In Haryana, 10,760 private schools will remain closed on July 16, 2025 in protest against the murder of Jagbir Singh Panu, principal of Kartar Memorial Senior Secondary School in Bas Badshahpur village of Hisar district. The murder has raised security concerns among the teacher community. The Private School Association of Haryana has demanded a special law for the safety of teachers. The decision to close the schools has been taken by Satyawan Kundu, president of the Private School Association, affecting the studies of students in private schools in Hisar and other areas for a day. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 11:56 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
Amarnath Yatra: Where Faith, Fraternity, Sustainability Converge In The Himalayas
The Shri Amarnathji Yatra is more than a spiritual trek—it is an experience that binds the nation. On July 3, 2025, the majestic Himalayan routes of Jammu & Kashmir once again echoed with chants as pilgrims from across India and abroad set forth on the sacred Shri Amarnathji Yatra—a spiritual journey to the ice-lingam of Lord Shiva in the Amarnath cave shrine. This yatra is not merely a religious event; it is a celebration of India's pluralistic soul, a demonstration of the secular integrity of our civil services, and a lifeline for local economies in the remote mountain belts of Kashmir. In recent years, the integration of technology and principles of sustainability has tremendously enhanced the pilgrim experience—ensuring both improved service delivery and the preservation of local environmental values, besides improving the sense of security. I have had the privilege—thrice in the last four years—of serving as Nodal Officer for this monumental pilgrimage. As a Muslim civil servant entrusted with coordinating one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages in the world, I find in this experience a living embodiment of what India truly stands for: religious harmony, cultural respect, and shared national responsibility. A Pilgrimage of Ancient Roots The Amarnath Yatra has deep roots in Indian religious tradition. Ancient texts and local lore trace references to the Amarnath cave—situated at an altitude of 3,888 meters—to thousands of years ago. According to legend, Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality ('Amar Katha") to Goddess Parvati at this very site. Over time, devout sages and pilgrims began traversing the arduous Himalayan trails during the Shravan month (July–August), forming a tradition that continues with undiminished spirit. When I am asked what it feels like, as a Muslim, to serve as the nodal authority for a Hindu yatra, my response is simple: The civil service is not a religious institution—it is a public trust. Our role is to serve the people, uphold the Constitution, and facilitate the diverse spiritual journeys that form India's vibrant culture. However, in global comparison, it is hard to find parallels where a person from a different religion leads such a major pilgrimage. This is a unique Indian reality that we must cherish and uphold. A Reflection of Pluralism One of the most defining moments of my career came in July 2022, when a tragic cloudburst near the holy cave claimed lives and left many injured. That unfortunate incident coincided with Eid-ul-Adha eve, yet the response from the local community was one of overwhelming solidarity. Thousands of Muslim service providers, ponywallahs, porters, and volunteers—many fasting or offering Eid prayers at the base camps– joined the relief and restoration efforts. The Lieutenant Governor of J&K visited the area the same day, and the image of Muslims offering Eid prayers amidst a Hindu pilgrimage site, followed by collective relief efforts, stood out as a symbol of India's spiritual resilience and unity. Economic Lifeline for Mountain Communities The yatra is also a critical economic engine for tens of thousands of locals across South Kashmir and the Sonamarg region, both areas attracting the workers from entire Jammu and Kashmir. From tent providers, pony owners, palki bearers, taxi operators, to local shopkeepers and artisans, the pilgrimage sustains livelihoods and injects vitality into the regional economy. In 2024, over 4.5 lakh pilgrims participated, contributing to a seasonal economy that exceeds ₹500 crore at conservative estimates. The 2025 Yatra is expected to see greater experience for pilgrims due to the improved infrastructure, better security coordination, and enhanced services. Infrastructure, Civil Amenities & Technological Integration The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), in coordination with various development and welfare departments, local administration and security agencies, has introduced landmark interventions over the years to ease the journey, which include Real-time tracking and registration via RFID, improved base camps at Baltal and Nunwan with sanitation, food, and healthcare facilities, 24×7 medical units, oxygen booths, and disaster response teams along the route. Digital services, feedback and grievance redressal portals, multiple helplines, and information kiosks have tremendously eased the pilgrimage experience. The SASB has prioritized robust waste management and eco-friendly initiatives to safeguard the fragile Himalayan environment, striving for a zero-landfill approach through scientific waste collection and sustainable disposal practices. All of this reflects not only administrative foresight but also a commitment to dignity and comfort for every pilgrim. A Call to the Nation The Shri Amarnathji Yatra is more than a spiritual trek—it is an experience that binds the nation. It represents the unshakable faith of the devotee, the strength of our secular institutions, the hospitality of the local people, and the power of coordinated governance. As we welcome the 2025 Yatra, I urge fellow citizens from every corner of India to consider embarking on this profound journey—not just for its religious merit, but to witness the divine confluence of faith and fraternity that makes this land so unique. Let the echoes of the Himalayas this July remind us all: in unity, service, and reverence, India thrives. About the Author Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, an IAS officer, is Secretary to Government of Jammu and Kashmir, and Nodal Officer for Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025. tags : Amarnath shrine Amarnath Yatra view comments Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: July 04, 2025, 11:33 IST News opinion Opinion | Amarnath Yatra: Where Faith, Fraternity, Sustainability Converge In The Himalayas Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
Top 10 Lord Shiva Temples In India
Here are some Shiva temples located in India that you can travel to during Sawan 2025.
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
Kanwar Yatra 2025: Significance And Rituals
The Kanwar Yatra is a yearly pilgrimage undertaken by Lord Shiva's devotees. Here's what you need to know about it.
