Varanasi: In view influx of saffron clad kanwariyas in huge numbers since Saturday and footfall of almost 6 lakh kanwariyas and pilgrims to offer ‘jalabhishek’ on the first Monday of auspicious Shrawan month, district administration and police intensified efforts to manage bigger crowd on the second Monday.The second Monday falls on ‘Pradosh’ (13th lunar day and sacred bimonthly Hindu fast dedicated to Lord Shiv and goddess Parvati), followed by Shrawan Shivratri on Tuesday because of which high influx of pilgrims and kanwariyas is expected in Kashi. Kashi Vishwanath temple chief executive officer Vishwa Bhushan Mishra said, “On first Monday of Shrawan, almost 6 lakh pilgrims and kanwariyas arrived. Kanwariyas are already reaching the temple in very high numbers since Friday and greater crowd is expected on Monday and Tuesday as well. We already have arrangements to manage 10 lakh crowd in a day, which were exhibited during Prayagraj Maha Kumbh in 2025. Temple will ensure no pilgrim faces difficulty in offering rituals.”Long queues to offer ‘jalabhishek’ did not reduce at any of the entry point of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham as kanwariyas and pilgrims thronging from across the globe kept the area abuzz amid chants of ‘Bol Bam’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’.Since movement of kanwariyas on Prayagraj-Varanasi was very high, police commissioner Mohit Agarwal and other senior officials reviewed all the highways and routes. Agrawal kept inspecting Manduwadih, Rathyatra, Gurubagh and Godowlia route through which kanwariyas reach Kashi Vishwanath Dham from Prayagraj route. He reviewed security, law and order, traffic flow and crowd-control arrangements and issued necessary instructions to officials. He also inspected rest points were kanwariyas were halting, checked available facilities and interacted with devotees, assuring them of all possible assistance.Agrawal appealed to local residents and traders to maintain harmony and cooperation with kanwariyas and extend all support for their safe, smooth and comfortable journey. Officials were directed to immediately remove encroachments, illegal parking and other obstructions along the kanwar route. Adequate police deployment and close monitoring were ordered at crowded locations. All gazetted officers, station heads and outpost in charges have been instructed to conduct foot patrols in their respective areas and maintain alert policing.In view of the expected arrival of devotees and kanwar pilgrims at Kashi Vishwanath Dham and other major Shiv temples in big numbers on Monday and Shrawan Shivratri, the no-entry for heavy and commercial vehicles started at 11 pm on Sunday. Entry from adjoining districts will remain prohibited. Vehicles carrying milk, fruits, vegetables, medicines and newspapers are exempt from curbs.
