| Flower petals were showered on kanwariyas from a helicopter in Meerut and Baghpat districts  of western Uttar Pradesh by government officials on Friday, as the Yogi Adityanath-led governments gesture for the devotees continued for the third consecutive day. On Thursday, District Magistrate Deepak Meena and Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada had showered flowers on Shiva devotees taking part in the Kanwar yatra from a helicopter in Meerut. Continuing this gesture, on Friday, the auspicious occasion of Shravan Shivaratri, Meerut Divisional Commissioner Selva Kumari J and Inspector General of Police Nachiketa Jha showered flowers on Kanwariyas from a helicopter at Baba Augharnath temple in Meerut and Pura Mahadev temple in Baghpat. In addition to the flower shower, both officers also surveyed the temple premises and reviewed the security arrangements. The kanwariyas, delighted by the aerial display, danced with joy and chanted Bol Bam Bol Bam. Earlier on Thursday, Meerut DM Deepak Meena and SSP Vipin Tada also showered flowers from helicopters at various locations including Meeruts historic Augarnath temple, the Delhi-Dehradun National Highway, Pallavpuram, and the Siway Toll Plaza. This flower showering festivities began on Wednesday when flowers were showered on kanwariyas from a bulldozer in Meerut. The kanwariyas have expressed their happiness with the Yogi governments arrangements along the entire Kanwar Yatra route and have thanked Chief Minister Yogi for the gesture. A large number of Lord Shivas devotees travel from various places with kanwars carrying holy water from the Ganga to perform jalabhishek of shivlings during the Hindu calendar month of Shravan. Many believers shun consuming meat during the month they consider holy. Many do not even consume meals containing onions and garlic.   

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