Liquor Shops Along Kanwar Yatra Route to be Covered with Curtains to Respect Devotees’ Sentiments

Uttarakhand Government Issues Guidelines to Ensure Peaceful and Safe Pilgrimage for Kanwariyas

Haridwar, In a move aimed at maintaining religious sanctity and ensuring a smooth pilgrimage experience for devotees of Lord Shiva, the Uttarakhand government has announced that all liquor shops along the Kanwar Yatra route will be covered with curtains. This decision comes ahead of the annual Kanwar Yatra during Shravan month, a time when lakhs of devotees walk barefoot to collect holy Ganga water.

According to Haridwar District Excise Officer Kailash Chandra Binjola, nearly 28 liquor shops situated along the highways and arterial roads used by Kanwar pilgrims will be temporarily hidden from public view using curtains. “There is no plan to shut these outlets. However, they and their signboards will be completely covered to ensure the religious sentiments of Kanwariyas are respected,” Binjola told IANS.

Visual Obstruction, Not Closure

The excise department has clarified that the move is symbolic and precautionary, meant to avoid any friction or disruption during the pilgrimage. While the shops will remain operational, the external view of alcohol displays and advertising will be fully obstructed.

“These shops fall directly along the Kanwar Yatra routes that see heavy footfall during Shravan. Covering them ensures that devotees undertaking a deeply spiritual journey are not offended,” Binjola added. Authorities will issue notices to any liquor vendor who fails to comply with the new directive.

Strengthening Regulation on Roadside Eateries

This decision comes amid a broader push by the Uttarakhand government to tighten regulations along the Kanwar Yatra route. Hotels, restaurants, and roadside dhabas have been instructed to prominently display food licenses, names of owners, menus, and price lists.

The administration is seeking to ensure that all food vendors comply with hygiene and safety standards, as the region prepares to welcome millions of Kanwar pilgrims from across the country.

Comprehensive Preparations for a Clean, Safe Yatra

Earlier last week, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a high-level meeting to review and coordinate preparations for the 2025 Shravan Kanwar Yatra. He stressed the need for an organised, safe, and environment-friendly pilgrimage.

One of the flagship announcements was the launch of the Uttarakhand Kanwar Seva App, a mobile application that will provide Kanwariyas with real-time information on routes, facilities, medical support, and traffic updates.

To support the Kanwar Yatra’s environmental goals, mobile toilets and water stations will be placed every 1–2 kilometres within a 30-kilometre radius of Haridwar, Roorkee, Rishikesh, and other key towns. Special vehicles for waste disposal will also be deployed to maintain cleanliness along the route.

Health infrastructure is also receiving a significant boost. Ambulances, first-aid centres, and medical teams will be stationed every 5 km to handle emergencies and provide basic care to pilgrims, many of whom walk long distances under the summer heat.

Surveillance and Misinformation Control

To ensure pilgrim safety and crowd management during the Kanwar Yatra, the administration plans to use drone surveillance and artificial intelligence for real-time monitoring. In addition, officials have been instructed to actively monitor social media platforms to identify and act against any spread of fake news or misinformation that could disrupt public peace.

The Chief Minister has directed law enforcement and civil departments to cooperate seamlessly and ensure that travel restrictions, hygiene protocols, and safety regulations are strictly enforced.

A Spiritual Journey with Modern Support

The Kanwar Yatra, one of India’s largest religious pilgrimages, sees millions of devotees (called Kanwariyas) carry holy water from the Ganga to offer at Shiva temples in their hometowns. The state’s multi-tiered planning is a reflection of the increasing need to blend traditional devotion with modern governance.

By taking steps such as covering liquor shops along Kanwar Yatra routes, ensuring food safety compliance, and using digital tools for better management, Uttarakhand is striving to honour the spiritual essence of the Yatra while meeting contemporary standards of public safety and administration.