Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in Meerut on Saturday (August 8, 2026), welcomed Kanwariyas by showering flowers on the auspicious Dashami Tithi of the holy month of Shravan.

The CM, standing on stage with Meerut Lok Sabha MP Arun Govil and other public representatives, showered rose petals on Shiva devotee Kanwar pilgrims, honouring their faith. Flowers were also showered from a helicopter on Shiva devotees all along the Kanwar route.

“Today, I had the opportunity to shower flowers on Shiva devotees, Kanwar pilgrims, in Meerut district. Millions of Shiva devotees from various States, including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, are taking part in this sacred journey. The Uttar Pradesh government extends a hearty welcome and greetings to all Kanwar pilgrims. We are fully prepared to serve and protect you,” said Mr. Adityanath in Meerut.

The U.P. CM described the Kanwar Yatra as an unparalleled example of devotion, dedication, social and national unity and harmony.

Before reaching the venue, Mr. Adityanath surveyed the Kanwar Yatra by helicopter. He paid obeisance to the devotion of the devotees who had arrived from different parts of the state and directed administrative officers to ensure proper arrangements for regular security, respect, and facilities for Kanwar pilgrims.

“The entire western Uttar Pradesh reverberated with the chants of Har-Har Bam-Bam by Kanwar pilgrims who had set out carrying holy Ganga water to perform Jalabhishek at Shiva temples. The administration has made security arrangements with full alertness for the Shiva devotees, Kanwar pilgrims,” said Mr. Adityanath.

“Along with the district administration, the Sector Magistrate, Zonal Magistrate and all the police personnel, police officers from zone, range, district, circle and police station area to beat level are becoming a part of this campaign with full devotion and are providing all kinds of security to the Kanwar pilgrims,” added the CM.

Speaking in Meerut, the CM added, “The sacred Kanwar Yatra during the month of Shravan is moving towards its peak. Shiva devotee Kanwar pilgrims are rapidly proceeding from Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, carrying Ganga water to perform Jalabhishek at the sacred Shiva temples.”

“Lakhs of Shiva devotees have joined this campaign. It is hoped that four to four-and-a-half crore Shiva devotees between Ghaziabad and Haridwar will join this Kanwar Yatra with Ganga water and perform Jalabhishek at sacred Shiva temples by Shivratri of Shravan. We are all fully prepared to welcome and ensure the security of Kanwar pilgrims. The Shiva devotees who are walking hundreds of kilometres with devotion to Devadhidev Mahadev are presenting a living example of devotion, dedication, social and national unity and harmony. Rising above the boundaries of caste, region and state, every breath of theirs is dedicated to Shiva.”

The CM described the atmosphere as the culmination of devotion: “I pray to Devadhidev Mahadev to fulfil the wishes of the Shiva devotees participating in the Kanwar Yatra during the month of Shravan and to always bless them so that an atmosphere of happiness, peace and harmony prevails in the state and the country,” he added.

Published - August 09, 2026 07:18 am IST