The famous Khichdi Mela at the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur will begin on Sunday amid unprecedented security.

The devotees will have to go through three layers of security to participate in the mela. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who heads the Gorakhnath temple, has been personally supervising the arrangements. He made a surprise visit to the district on Tuesday night to make on the spot inspection of the ongoing arrangements.

Yogi Adityanath directed the officials to ensure timely arrangements and to ensure that the event passed off peacefully with no trouble to the visitors.

Talking to media persons about the security arrangements, Additional Director General (ADG) Akhil Kumar said devotees would have to pass through three layers of security.

The first checking will be done at the entry points of the city, the second at the entry of Gorakhnath temple premises, and third at the entrance gate of the main temple.

The Gorakhnath temple has been receiving several bomb threats, some of them fake, which has necessitated an increase in security. The district administration has completed arrangements for the week-long Gorakhpur festival to be held between January 11 and 17 at the Champa Devi Park.

Talking to reporters, festival nodal officer and Vice-Chairman of Gorakhpur Development Authority, Mahendra Singh Tanwar, said nearly 200 artistes would take part in the festival, including 180 local ones, and the area had been divided into four super zones. In addition, a police station has been established at the temple.

The annual Khichdi Mela attracts lakhs of devotees from India as well as Nepal and is a much-awaited event.