Priyanka Tiwari
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Following the holy dip at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, a large number of devotees are making their way to Kashi. The roads leading to the Kashi Vishwanath temple are packed, with a queue stretching approximately 6 kilometers from Ganga Ghat to the temple premises. Security forces have been heavily deployed to manage the increasing crowd.
Surge in Pilgrims at Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Many devotees who participated in the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj are now heading towards Kashi and Ayodhya. Over the past two days, lakhs of pilgrims have visited Baba Vishwanath’s temple in Kashi. On Tuesday, the queue for darshan extended 6 kilometers from Ganga Ghat to the temple entrance. By 4 PM, more than 5 lakh devotees had visited the temple, making it difficult for security forces to maintain order.
Over 50 Lakh Devotees Expected in the Next 48 Hours
Authorities estimate that over 50 lakh devotees will visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple within the next two days. The situation is expected to intensify on February 12, as it marks Maghi Purnima, a significant religious occasion. Additionally, Sant Ravidas Jayanti falls on the same day, attracting an even larger number of followers. In response, an emergency crowd management plan has been implemented in Varanasi. The queue for darshan now extends to Maidagin on one side and the Ghats on the other, while vehicular traffic on the Prayagraj-Varanasi highway is witnessing long jams.
Police Commissioner Takes Charge of Crowd Management
Given the massive gathering, Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal is personally overseeing the crowd management. He is accompanied by 10 IPS officers and 17 PPS officers, including ADCPs from three zones, who are actively working on the ground. Traffic control measures are being monitored from the control room to ensure smooth movement in the city.
Authorities are urging devotees to follow security guidelines and cooperate with officials to maintain order during this peak pilgrimage period.
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