Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Adityanath hails Kanwar Yatra as symbol of social unity
In India, many people worship a god named Lord Shiva.
Every year, they take part in something called the Kanwar Yatra, which is a very long walking trip.
The walkers, called Kanwariyas, walk for many hundreds of kilometres to reach holy places.
They want to pour holy water, called jalabhishek, on Shiva temples.
The leader of a state called Uttar Pradesh is named Yogi Adityanath.
He stood on a special platform in a city called Meerut and threw flower petals on the walkers as they passed by.
He said the walkers are a great example of how people from different backgrounds can be united.
He thinks that about 4.5 crore, meaning 45 million, people will take part by a special festival day called Shivratri.
The walkers come from many different states, like Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan.
The Chief Minister said people will keep getting flower petals showered on them for the next two days.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath showered rose petals on Kanwariyas near the Dulhera police outpost in Modipuram, Meerut.
He said the Shiva devotees walking hundreds of kilometres are an example of social and national unity, rising above caste and regional barriers.
Adityanath predicted nearly 4.5 crore devotees will perform 'jalabhishek' at sacred Shiv temples along the Kanwar route from Ghaziabad to Haridwar by Shivratri (August 11).
Lakhs of devotees from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are participating in the Kanwar Yatra.
Flower petals will be showered on the pilgrims over the next two days, including at Shiv Chowk in Muzaffarnagar.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BJP leaders, along with Kanwariyas (devotees of Lord Shiva) from several states.
- What
- Adityanath welcomed Kanwar Yatra pilgrims by showering flower petals and hailed the yatra as a symbol of social and national unity.
- When
- The welcome took place on Saturday, ahead of Shivratri on August 11.
- Where
- Near the Dulhera police outpost in Modipuram, Meerut, with large crowds also at Shiv Chowk in Muzaffarnagar; the route runs from Ghaziabad to Haridwar.
- Why
- To honour devotees of Lord Shiva walking hundreds of kilometres to perform jalabhishek, which Adityanath said displays enthusiasm and national unity.
- Chief Minister
- Yogi Adityanath
- Event
- Kanwar Yatra
- Location
- Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (Modipuram area)
- Expected devotees
- Nearly 4.5 crore by Shivratri (August 11)
- Kanwar route
- Ghaziabad to Haridwar
- Participating regions
- Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh
- Temples mentioned
- Baba Augharnath temple (Meerut), Baba Dudheshwar Nath temple (Ghaziabad)