VHP international president V S Kokje and Joint General Secretary Surendra Kumar Jain As the COVID-19 crisis worsens in the country, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has cancelled the ''84-kosi parikrama'' that was to begin on 8 April.
The ''84-kosi parikrama'' passes through Ayodhya, Barabanki and Gonda, celebrating Lord Ram's empire.
According to VHP spokesperson Sharad Sharma, "The parikrama has been cancelled as we need to stand in solidarity with the government and society against coronavirus. Religious and social rituals will survive only when the nation is protected."
The parikrama cannot be postponed as it has to take place in Chaitra, the first month of Hindu calendar.
The decision for cancelling the parikrama was taken by Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chairperson Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and secretary Champat Rai in consultation with top leadership of the VHP.
"Preparations for the parikrama were complete. Seers from across the country would have been in Ayodhya for it. However, the country and society come first. If they are safe, then the parikrama can happen next year," Sharma said.
(With inputs from IANS)
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