Neelkanth Mahadev Shravan Kanwar Mela that started on July 9 has been going on now in full swing with over 49 lakh kanwarias and other devotees having performed Jalabhishek at the fabled Mahadev temple at Neelkanth under Yamkeshwar Tehsil till Wednesday afternoon. The mela is ending on Monday. Braving the incessant rains, the devotees keep thronging the temple, something that makes the district administration to hope that the number would cross 50 lakh, setting up a record of sorts. The temple would be closed on Monday, the last day of mela, at 7 pm due to the lunar eclipse.
Meanwhile, police have made fool- proof security arrangements for the congregation. Senior superintendent of police Jagat Ram Joshi said that they are vigilant round the clock. He further said that he had instructed the officers to manage things well without hindering the movements of the pilgrims till the mela is over. He said that there is a one- way entry from the side of the barrage and five posts have been set up for registration. Police personnel have been deployed in all the sensitive places to ensure that the mela passes off peacefully.