Devra Yatra: Devotees Break Down Gate in Rudraprayag to Continue Religious Procession

During the Devra Yatra in Rudraprayag, devotees broke a gate obstructing their procession, leading to chaos and blocking the national highway. Authorities have filed cases against 52 individuals involved in the incident.

In Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, devotees involved in the Devra Yatra of Agastyamuni Maharaj reportedly dismantled a gate on Thursday. This gate was blocking their procession route, causing a delay for several hours. The palanquin carrying the deity was stalled, prompting this action, according to officials.

The yatra commenced on Wednesday from Maharishi Agastyamuni's temple, adhering to its usual schedule. However, the palanquin encountered an obstruction at the local sports department's gate. This led to a chaotic scene with many devotees present, resulting in a blockade of the national highway for hours. Consequently, the deity's palanquin had to return without completing its rituals.

Frustration Among Devotees

On Thursday, when the yatra resumed, the situation remained unchanged. Devotees waited until noon for administrative intervention. Frustrated by the lack of action, they allegedly broke down the gate to proceed with their religious rituals. This incident highlighted their growing impatience with the authorities.

The Rudraprayag district administration responded by taking legal action against those involved in breaking the gate. Cases were filed against 52 individuals under relevant sections. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Prateek Jain expressed disappointment over the chaos despite prior arrangements for the yatra.

Administrative Oversight

Those associated with the yatra claimed they had requested the district administration two weeks prior to remove the obstructing gate from their traditional route. A follow-up request was made on Wednesday, but no action was taken until Thursday afternoon despite assurances.

This lack of response heightened devotees' frustration, leading them to remove the obstruction themselves. The incident underscores tensions between religious practices and administrative protocols in managing public events.

The situation reflects challenges faced by authorities in balancing religious traditions with public order. Ensuring smooth conduct of such events requires effective communication and timely intervention by local administrations.

With inputs from PTI