Covid-19: Famous Shiv temple cancels fair in UP's Pratapgarh

PRAYAGRAJ: The management committee of Bhayharan Nath Dham, the famous temple of Lord Shiva on the border of Pratapargh and Prayagraj districts has cancelled the popular Mangal Mela (Tuesday fair) held during Shrawan month and made compulsory for devotees to wear masks for entry and follow social distancing inside.
The committee also cancelled all religious events organised during Shrawan month in wake of Covid-19 outbreak.
The Shrawan month is beginning from July 6.
Samaj Shekhar, general secretary of Bhayharan Nath Dham Kshetriya Vikas Sansthan told TOI, “We have cancelled all the religious events normally organised during Sharwan month in view of Covid 19 outbreak. The preventive measures to be taken have been put in practice already.”
“A joint team of police and sansthan members ensured that devotees arriving to offer prayers strictly followed social distancing norms and took all precautions,” he said.
“The committee members used thermal scanners to check the temperature of each and every devotee before allowing entry. The devotees were told to use sanitizers and informed about wearing masks properly,” added Shekhar.
As lakhs of pilgrims and devotees visit the temple during Shrawan month every year, the management committee has informed senior police and administrative officials in Pratapgarh and Prayagraj about cancellation of all events.
The committee members are also informing all devotees that Kanwar Yatra is not allowed this year.
“We have been appealing to devotees not to visit the temple during Shrawan in view of Covid outbreak and urged them to perform Rudrabhishek at their respective homes,” said chief priest Bhola Nath Tiwari.
Meanwhile, the impact of 20 India soldiers being martyred in a clash with Chinese troops on LAC in Ladakh area is also visible.
The shopkeepers selling decorative items and statues of Lord Shiva have announced boycott of all Chinese products.
The owner of a popular store at Chowk said, “We have completely boycotted Chinese decorative items and have brought all indigenous products. The idols of Lord Shiva idols are being brought from Rajasthan this year, while decorative articles were sourced from West Bengal, Mathura and Delhi.”