The coronavirus pandemic has pushed all kinds of festivities to the back seat. From the 11-day Ganapati festival to the Jagannath Rath Yatra, all stand suspended. The latest addition to the list is the annual Kanwar Yatra that takes place every year during the holy month of Sawan. Every year, lakhs of devotees or kanwariyas undertake this pilgrimage and head to places where the Ganges flows, and eventually offer the holy water to Lord Shiva.
However, owing to the pandemic, the authorities have put a ban on all such religious activities. Devotees this year will not be able to visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, which is thronged by pilgrims this time of the year. While the pilgrimage might have been cancelled, visitors can still get the prasad home delivered, courtesy the Department of Post.
The temple trust will deliver the prasad by Speed Post, said Krishna Kumar Yadav, director in the Department of Post. Devotees will be required to send an EMO of Rs 251 to the senior superintendent of Post Offices, Varanasi East Division, and on the third day, the prasad will be delivered by the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. He also added that the package will consist of sweets, rosary, dry fruits, and a few other articles.
The states that have deferred the yatra this year include Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Harayana. Authorities claim that the decision has been taken keeping in view public interest.