Delhi-NCR based kanwars, who are ready to hit the road after two years — starting July 14 — say that safety is their first priority. Geared up to immerse in the enthusiasm of the festivities, some even share their playlist that will echo on the roads of the Capital. The Kanwar playlistKharcha Bhej DeDamak Dam Damroo Re BajeTu Raja Ki RajdulariMain Aa Gaya Re Bhola Tere Ghat PeKiska Karu Virodh O Bhole The Kanwar playlist
After a two-year gap due to the pandemic, the city is gearing up for the return of the annual Kanwar Yatra from July 14. With the launch of a registration system set up by the Delhi Police to help pilgrims enlist themselves for the journey, the focus this year is on safety amid the enthusiasm of a comeback.
Excited to be back on the road, Mohan, a kanwar from Gurugram, says, “The registration is a very good initiative, and I will definitely register myself. This makes me feel a bit safer now that we have fewer number of pilgrims this year. Covid ki wajah se log kam ho gaye; kaafi logon ko financially bhi dikkat hui hai.”
Phool Singh, another pilgrim from Delhi, feels the registration will help them stay safe during their elaborate plans for the journey. “Main register zaroor karoonga iss website pe jaane se pehle. We are setting out on the 15th and hope to reach Haridwar by the 16th. After that, we plan to visit Neelkanth (temple in Rishikesh). We will hum songs of devotion to keep us motivated to complete the journey,” he adds.
Pilgrims are also ensuring their safety by encouraging everyone in their teams to keep their Covid-19 vaccinations up-to-date. “Logon mein iss saal utsah bahut hai. We have 30-45 people in our team and we are all fully vaccinated. We will also follow all Covid-19 precautions on the road,” says 47-year-old Mukesh Saini, a kanwar and DJ from Shri Shiv Seva Samiti.
Author tweets @Nainaarora8
Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter
Close Story
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
‘This is not Niagara…’: Jog Falls reports rise in water level due to rains
Heavy rain along the coastal areas of Karnataka over the past two weeks has led to the rise in water level of dams, reservoirs, rivers and lakes. The picturesque Jog Falls which feature in several films, also reported rise in water levels. Social media was abuzz with netizens sharing pictures and videos of the Jog Falls, comparing it with Niagara Falls in the US.
-
CM Bommai to visit rain-affected areas in Karnataka
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai starting Tuesday will be visiting the rain-affected areas of Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, and Udupi districts and instruct the officials to take appropriate relief measures. On Thursday, the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Udupi and predicted heavy downpours in Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka. Tourists and fishermen were advised not to go to beaches and sea areas.
-
Bihar sees power shortage amid NTPC plants shutdown; officials deny reports
Bihar, especially the rural areas, has been facing power shortage following the shutdown of three NTPC units for the past few days. “There is no shortage of power to Bihar as compared to other states like Uttar Pradesh. We are offering 4600 MW power to Bihar of which the state was drawing only 3,300MW on Monday afternoon,” said an NTPC official.
-
Bihar: 400 tourists rescued near Karkatgarh waterfall in Kaimur hills
Four hundred tourists trapped across the Karmnasha river near the Karkatgarh waterfall in Bihar’s Kaimur district were rescued by the administration and locals in a late evening operation after a sudden rise in the water level on Sunday, people familiar with the matter said. The Karmnasha waterfall is famous for its scenery and crocodile sighting spots. People from the nearby Karkatgarh village informed the Chainpur police. Flash lights, ropes and tubes were arranged locally.
-
MP: 70-year-old woman with comorbidities dies of Covid-19 in Indore
A 70-year-old woman has succumbed to the coronavirus infection in Indore in Madhya Pradesh, a health official said on Monday. “She was suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments. She had taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine,” Covid-19 nodal officer Dr Amit Malakar added. Meanwhile, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) BS Saitya said cases were on the rise in Indore of late but a majority of the patients were asymptomatic.
