Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartik Purnima celerations passed off peacefully with several lakh devotees thronging the ghats across the state, including Ayodhya, to take a holy dip in Ganga, Saryu and Sangam in Prayagraj among other prominent rivers.
In the temple town of Ayodhya, where special security arrangements were made for the purpose, people began flocking to Saryu ghats since early morning amidst chants of ‘Sita Ram’ playing on loudspeakers on the streets, while many devotees who came from neighbouring districts camped near the river overnight. They all started taking holy dip since early morning and continued till late evening.
This is the first big religious congregation in Ayodhya after the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Ram Janmabhoomi land title dispute case. A posse of security personnel was deployed along the ghats while regular check-posts set up on the streets besides patrolling parties. The nearly four-km stretch from the symbolic Ayodhya Dwar bordering Faizabad town to the main Ayodhya city still remains under tight watch with no public transport being allowed to go beyond that from Faizabad side.
Even for private vehicles, hardly any four-wheelers could be seen beyond the gate, while two-wheeler riders were allowed to go towards Ayodhya side only after proper checking of identity cards. The ghats have been divided into four zones and about 20 sectors within each zone, resulting in a total of 80 sectors, disclosed a senior officer. “About 13 mobile toilets, besides other sanitation facilities and 18 ambulances, have been installed and ghats have been illuminated to add to the festive spirit,” he said.
The senior officer said units of paramilitary forces and home guards had also been deployed. “We have marked danger zones and 200 divers will also be on standby to avert any mishap,” he said.
“This arrangement has been in place since Friday night, the day the verdict timing was announced. It is likely to remain for another week or so to ensure foolproof security,” the police officer said.
“Also, in view of Kartik Purnima, security forces are on extra vigil,” he added.
Kartik Purnima or the night of the full moon of Kartik month of the Hindu calendar, falls 15 days after Diwali, the night of Kartik Amavasya.
Devotees in the state capital took a dip at Mankameshwar ghat on the banks of the Gomti. A huge crowd also gathered on the banks of Ganga and Yamuna in Allahabad. In Varanasi, besides taking holy dip in the morning, Dev Deepawali was celebrated on the banks of Ganga in the evening. Earthen lamps were lit at all temples and banks of the Ganga on the auspicious occasion.