Meat Shops On Kanwar Yatra To Be Shut In Varanasi For 'Saawan' Month

Varanasi: In yet another administrative directive regarding the Kanwar Yatra, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation has asked all meat and poultry shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to remain closed for the month of Saawan.

This comes after after state governments in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh asked shop owners in parts of the state to display their names and phone numbers on the Kanwar Yatra route.

Local Body Asks for Closure of Meat, Poultry Shops

The local body took the decision during a meeting of the executive committee chaired by the Mayor, Sandeep Srivastava, Public Relations Officer of Varanasi Municipal Corporation.

The Municipal Commissioner has directed officials to ensure that these shops along the Kanwar routes remain closed for the entire month of Sawan, aiming to avoid any inconvenience or problems for the Kanwariyas.

To ensure the enforcement of the order, a survey will be conducted on their routes so that the meat and poultry shops along the route are closed as soon as possible, an official said. 

Meanwhile, ahead of the first Monday of the Sawan Shivratri festival, the Lucknow Police has made extensive security arrangements, including the use of CCTV cameras. Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Law and Order Amit Verma took stock of the arrangements with the management committee of the temples. 

What is Saawan Festival ?

Shravan Shivratri is a holy Hindu festival, solely dedicated to Lord Shiva. During this auspicious month of Saawan, Lord Shiva is worshipped all over the country. It is believed that Lord Shiva got married to Parvati on this day. During the month of Shravan, devotees of Lord Shiva, keep a fast every Monday to seek his blessings. While married women wish for a happy marital life, unmarried women pray for a suitable life partner, just like Lord Shiva.