Last Updated:August 03, 2026, 08:26 IST

Schools have been shut across several districts as the Kanwar Yatra gathers pace. Find out which areas are affected and where heavy rain could add to travel disruptions

School Holiday Today: The precautionary measure has been introduced to safeguard schoolchildren and prevent school buses from being delayed by heavy congestion along Kanwar Yatra routes.

School Holiday Today: The Kanwar Yatra is in full swing across the country during the holy month of Sawan, with local administrations on high alert to manage the influx of devotees expected to visit Shiva temples on Sawan Mondays. Authorities have stepped up security arrangements along Kanwar routes and introduced precautionary measures, including school closures in sensitive districts of several states, to ensure the safe movement of Kanwariyas and minimise disruption caused by heavy traffic.

The closures have been announced to prevent schoolchildren and buses from becoming caught in congestion as thousands of pilgrims travel along designated routes. Many major religious cities are also hosting grand processions and fairs on the occasion of the first Sawan Monday, leading to extensive traffic diversions.

The first Monday of Sawan falls on August 3, 2026, with educational institutions remaining shut in several districts across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and parts of the Delhi-NCR region.

Schools Shut Across Uttar Pradesh

With western Uttar Pradesh forming a key stretch of the Kanwar Yatra route, district administrations have ordered the closure of government and private schools situated along the pilgrimage corridor.

Schools will remain closed in Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Shamli, Baghpat, Ghaziabad and Hapur where large numbers of Kanwariyas are expected to pass through.

In religious centres such as Varanasi and Ayodhya, schools located along major pilgrimage routes have either been granted a holiday or permitted to conduct classes online due to the anticipated crowds visiting temples on Sawan Mondays.

School Closures In Madhya Pradesh

Sawan Mondays hold particular religious significance in Madhya Pradesh, especially in Ujjain, where the royal procession of Lord Mahakal attracts millions of devotees.

In view of the expected footfall at Mahakal Lok and nearby areas, schools across Ujjain city and surrounding urban localities will remain closed on August 3.

The administration has also declared holidays for schools located near major Shiva temples in Mandsaur, particularly around the Pashupatinath Temple area, as well as in parts of Rewa and Jabalpur, citing children’s safety.

Haridwar, Rishikesh And Delhi-NCR On Alert

Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand remain the principal centres of the Kanwar Yatra, where lakhs of devotees gather to collect holy Ganga water.

The Haridwar district administration has ordered the closure of all educational institutions from Classes 1 to 12 owing to the exceptionally large number of pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Kanwariyas travelling through border areas of the Delhi-NCR region, including Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad, have prompted several leading private schools to either declare a holiday or switch to online classes as a precaution.

Advice For Parents And Students

Authorities have clarified that school holidays have only been officially announced in districts located along major Kanwar routes.

Schools which are away from these designated routes will continue to function as normal. Parents have been advised not to rely on unverified information circulating on social media and instead confirm school operations through official WhatsApp groups, school notices or circulars issued by the respective District Magistrates before sending children to school.

Sawan Weather: Heavy Rain Alert, Lightning And Flood Situation

The weather department has issued a heavy rainfall alert for Muzaffarnagar from August 3 to August 7.

According to ETV Bharat, rain warnings have also been issued for Balrampur, Siddharth Nagar, Basti, Maharajganj, Sant Kabir Nagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Ballia, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, Ayodhya, Gonda, Bahraich, Shravasti, Barabanki, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, Badaun, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bijnor, Shamli, Bareilly, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Sultanpur and Pratapgarh.

According to the seasonal outlook, rainfall across most parts of Uttar Pradesh is expected to remain below normal during August and September, although isolated areas in the south-eastern region may receive normal or above-normal rainfall. Average temperatures are also forecast to remain above normal during August.

However, monsoon activity is expected to strengthen gradually during the first week of August, increasing the likelihood of widespread rainfall across the state, with heavy showers expected at isolated locations.

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