Haridwar: In view of the ongoing yatra, orders have been issued by the district administration to close schools from 27 July to 2 August, for 7 days in Haridwar district. The decision has been taken in view of anticipated rush of pilgrims during this period. As per the orders issued by the district administration, all schools and Anganwadi centres from class 1 to 12 will remain closed in Haridwar.
In his order District Magistrate, Haridwar stated that due to the start of the Kanwar Mela, the number of Kanwarias is expected to increase every day. In such a situation, route diversion and closure of many routes becomes a necessity. Schools are being closed just to avoid the problems of local people and students as well. It is being claimed that many schools in the district have already switched on to online mode and this will continue till 2 August. In this order the district administration has also given instructions to close all the Anganwadi Centres of Haridwar from 27 July till 2 August.
It may be recalled that the Kanwar Yatra is currently in full swing in the state, particularly in Haridwar. Kanwar Yatra is held every year in the month of Shravan. During this time, a large number of Kanwarias reach to the Har Ki Pauri to collect Ganga water in Haridwar. In Kanwar Yatra the Ganga water is taken on foot by the Kanwarias till their native places and offered to Lord Shiva in the nearest Shivas temples. During the Kanwar Yatra, Haridwar becomes overcrowded with and all important roads like Haridwar-Delhi, Haridwar-Dehradun and Dehradun-Delhi Highways also become packed with pilgrims.
Due to astrological factors, Panchak, it is expected that the crowd of the Kanwarias will be somewhat less for the first three days. However, from 26 July onwards, a huge crowd of Kanwarias is expected to visit the Haridwar. The orders to close schools during this one week long peak period of the Mela, have been issued to ensure that the students, especially children do not face any undue inconvenience due to Kanwar Mela.
