In Uttar Pradesh, this year’s Kanwar Yatra will be defined by zero tolerance on meat, liquor, and provocative symbols, as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered sweeping curbs and strict enforcement to ensure the pilgrimage remains peaceful, disciplined, and spiritually intact.
With the Kanwar Yatra 2025 officially set to begin on July 11 and continue through August 9, the Uttar Pradesh government has ramped up preparations across all major districts. In a high-level review meeting, the Chief Minister directed top police, administrative, and civic authorities to gear up for the upcoming annual pilgrimage. During this event, lakhs of Shiva devotees – known as kanwariyas – walk barefoot for miles to fetch holy water from the Ganga and offer it at local Shiv temples. The CM emphasised that this is not just a religious event but a reflection of public faith and harmony, and must be managed with utmost sensitivity and preparedness.
Ban on Meat, Liquor, and Inflammatory Displays
Asserting a zero-tolerance approach, CM Yogi made it clear that no meat or liquor shops would remain open along any Kanwar Yatra route across the state. District magistrates and municipal officials have been asked to ensure immediate closure or relocation of such establishments for the duration of the Yatra. The move, he said, is crucial for respecting the religious sentiments of devotees.
Moreover, the display of weapons, political banners, caste symbols, or provocative slogans during the yatra has been strictly prohibited. Any attempt to disrupt communal harmony – whether through procession themes, music, or social media posts – will invite immediate legal action under relevant sections of the IPC and the IT Act.
The CM also instructed that all DJs and sound systems used during the yatra maintain volume within prescribed decibel limits. Use of loud or offensive music, especially near hospitals, schools, or religious sites of other communities, will be met with penalties.
Infrastructure Push Along Key Routes
Special focus is being given to major transit points such as Muradnagar to Tila Mod, the Kadarpur-Ghaziabad-Delhi border, and highways including NH-9, NH-24, and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, which are expected to witness a heavy surge in pilgrim traffic. The Chief Minister has instructed that damaged roads and potholes along these routes be repaired well in advance, and proper signage with emergency helpline numbers be displayed clearly.
Watchtowers, adequate street lighting, and CCTV cameras are to be installed for surveillance and crowd monitoring. To ensure smooth vehicular and pedestrian movement, traffic police and trained volunteers will be deployed along the entire stretch of the Yatra route. As a key safety measure, barricading will be put up at divider cuts to prevent cross-traffic conflicts, and electric poles along the route will be wrapped with insulated plastic sheets up to a height of five feet to avoid accidental electrocution. These measures are part of a broader administrative effort to make the pilgrimage route safer, smoother, and better equipped to handle the massive footfall expected during the holy month.
Health, Hygiene & Water Facilities
CM Yogi has instructed health departments to set up temporary medical camps, ambulances, and first-aid booths every few kilometres along the Kanwar route. These camps will be stocked with ORS, pain relievers, bandages, and emergency equipment.
To ensure hygiene, each Kanwar camp will be equipped with dustbins, proper drainage, and dedicated teams of sanitation workers (Swachhata Mitras). Clean drinking water stations will be placed at intervals and regularly monitored. Petrol pumps along the route have been told to maintain clean public toilets, with separate units for men and women.
In line with the state’s green mission, the CM has also promoted the use of eco-friendly disposable items like biodegradable plates, cups, and glasses at food stalls and langars.
Public Engagement & Crowd Monitoring
Yogi Adityanath has called for real-time public engagement through local peace committees and Kanwar Sanghs. District administrations have been told to maintain a 24Ă—7 control room for grievance redressal and live updates.
Drone surveillance may also be used in congested zones. Meanwhile, public address systems will be installed at key intersections and rest points to disseminate instructions or emergency information to the crowd. In areas where the Kanwar Yatra overlaps with regular city traffic, temporary traffic diversions will be created. The CM instructed traffic departments to minimise inconvenience to residents while prioritising safety and order for the devotees.
Muharram & Other Festivals Reviewed
In addition to the Kanwar Yatra, the CM also reviewed preparations for other festivals falling in the same period – Muharram, Shivratri, Nag Panchami, and Raksha Bandhan. For Muharram processions, senior officials have been asked to deploy gazetted officers at the front and rear of major processions and video-record all major gatherings. The display of arms during these events has been banned, and route permissions must align with traditional practices to avoid tension.
Social Media & Fake News Vigil
The Chief Minister expressed concern over attempts to incite caste-based tensions through social media platforms, referencing recent flare-ups in Etawah, Kaushambi, and Auraiya. He has directed the state cyber cell and district police units to step up monitoring of social platforms for hate content, misinformation, or inflammatory posts.
Any individual or group found using online platforms to stoke unrest or insult religious sentiments will face stringent penal action. Additionally, district magistrates have been told to hold interfaith meetings and involve local influencers in building consensus and cooperation across communities.
A Model for Harmony and Discipline
Highlighting that the Kanwar Yatra is a symbol of devotion, self-restraint, and collective faith, CM Yogi said that it should serve as a model for managing large-scale religious events without conflict or administrative failure.
“The Yatra should reflect our strength as a society rooted in spiritual discipline and unity,” he said, concluding the review.