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Stage set for twin fiestas: Gorakhpur festival to be inaugurated today, Khichdi Mela on Jan 15
The Gorakhpur festival has become a prominent gathering for talent scouting among local artists and musicians
Devotees will have to go through three layers of security to participate in the famous Khichdi Mela at Gorakhnath temple: at entry points of the city, at the Gorakhnath temple premises, and at the entrance gate of the temple proper. The festival begins on January 15.
Meanwhile, 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.
The festival has become a prominent gathering for talent scouting among local artists and musicians.
Talking to mediapersons, Mahendra Singh Tanwar, festival nodal officer and vice-chairman of GDA, said that the festival will be inaugurated by minister for culture and tourism Jaiveer Singh. He said though it will continue till January 17 but chief minister Yogi Adityanath will be the chief guest here on January 13 at the concluding ceremony of the main programme.
Tanwar said around 200 artistes will take part in the festival including 180 local ones. This will provide opportunities to local artistes to show their skills and talents. He said that the festival will boost tourism and rich culture of eastern Uttar Pradesh would be reflected in this occasion.
SP city Krishna Kumar Bishnoi carried out inspection of the festival venue and said security arrangements around the venue had been beefed up and traffic on the way to the venue will be restricted.
Meanwhile, the Makar Sankranti and Khichdi Mela at Gorakhnath temple this year will be a unique show along with rituals. Groups of seers from different parts of the country, free WiFi service and selfie points are ready to welcome devotees. The month-long festival will begin on January 15.
On Tuesday, district police officials carried out a mock drill to check the alertness of police personnel. ADG Akhil Kumar said devotees will have to pass through three layers of security. First checking would be done at entry points of the city, the second at the entry of Gorakhnath temple’s premises, and third at the entrance gate of the main temple.
Kumar said security forces were maintaining a vigil at UP Bihar Border and Indo Nepal Border and that devotees will not feel any inconvenience
Official sources said that the mela premise had been divided into four super zones, 10 sub zones and 25 sectors. In addition, a police station had been established at the Gorakhnath temple along with seven police posts. ATS commandos along with PAC jawans, 6 additional superintendents police and 20 circle officers will be on duty. Sources said 450 women police personnel will also be deployed along with 1,450 male personnel.
Khichdi mela is world famous as devotees from various parts of the country along with Nepal and other countries reach here to offer khichdi to Guru Gorakhnath.
Abdur Rahman
