PRAYAGRAJ, July 25 -- Ahead of the annual Kanwar Yatra, the Prayagraj district administration has ordered the closure of meat shops along the Kanwar routes during the holy month of Sawan and directed all concerned departments to ensure comprehensive civic, security and traffic arrangements for the smooth movement of pilgrims.

The directions were issued by additional district magistrate (City) Satyam Mishra during a review meeting on yatra preparedness. He asked all departments to complete arrangements around major Shiva temples and Kanwar routes well before the pilgrimage begins.

The holy month of Sawan will be observed from July 30 to August 28 this year. Lakhs of Kanwariyas are expected to collect Ganga water from the Sangam and other...