UP govt to shower flower petals on Kanwariyas from helicopters
The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced special arrangements to make this year's Shravan Kanwar Yatra more memorable, secure and spiritually uplifting for devotees. As part of the initiative, Kanwariyas travelling along major pilgrimage routes in western Uttar Pradesh will be greeted with flower petals showered from helicopters on August 9 and 10.
Officials said the programme has been planned as a mark of respect for the devotion and dedication shown by millions of pilgrims during the annual yatra.
According to the official schedule, the helicopter will leave Lucknow for Baghpat at around 8 a.m. on August 9. Devotees in Baghpat will be welcomed with flower showers between 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
The programme will then move to Saharanpur, where flower petals will be showered from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. This will be followed by similar events in Muzaffarnagar between 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. and in Meerut from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The helicopter is expected to remain in operation for a total of six hours and 10 minutes on the first day.
On August 10, the aerial campaign will resume from Meerut. Devotees in Ghaziabad will receive a floral welcome from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., followed by Hapur from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Bulandshahr from 11:15 a.m. until noon. ALSO READ: UPSRTC to Run Extra Buses, Set Up 24x7 Control Rooms for Kanwar Yatra 2026
Following the completion of the programme, the helicopter will return to Lucknow from Bulandshahr at 12:30 p.m.
Officials said the total flying time on the second day will be three hours and 45 minutes, bringing the overall duration of the two-day initiative to nine hours and 55 minutes.
The move is part of the state government's broader efforts to ensure a smooth, safe and well-organised pilgrimage experience for Kanwar devotees.
