Neelkanth Mahadev Shravan Kanwar Mela that started on July 18 has been going on now in full swing with over 32 lakh Kanwaris and other devotees having performed the Jalabhishek till Monday.
On the occasion of Mahashivratr, 4,36,694 Kanwarias and devotees have offered pooja at the Neelkanth temple situated in Yamkeshwar block under Pauri district till 1 pm, braving the constant drizzling.
The figure might reach eight lakh till 11 pm, said the police officials, engaged in manning the huge throng of pilgrims.
Police have made fool-proof arrangements to ensure security. Superintendent of police Nivedita Kukreti Kumar said they were vigilant to the maximum extent. She had stayed in the shrine to supervise things for a day.
She further said she had instructed the officers concerned to manage things well without throwing hindrance to the movement of the pilgrims on the special day of Mahashivratri on Monday and on other days till the mela is over.
Pauri CO Police DS Tomar has been staying at Neelkanth shrine since the mela started. He would stay put there till the last Monday of Sawan-the day the mela would end—on August 18.
Tomar told The Pioneer that around 32 lakh kanwarias and devotees had performed Jalabhishek in the famed Neelkanth temple till Sunday. However, the figure surged up substantially after nearly 4.5 lakh turned up on the occasion of Mahashivratri, he said.
Tomar further said that there is a one—way entry from the side of barrage and five posts have been set up for registration. Police personnel have been deployed in all possible spots to ensure the fool-proof security in and around the Neelkanth shrine.