UNDER TIGHT security, a large number of devotees, including Kanwarias, performed ‘Jalabhishekh’ at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the sensitive Gyanwapi complex on the third Monday of the Hindu month of Sawan.
The temple town was flooded with saffron-clad Kanwarias on the occasion.
Devotees started queuing up outside the temple from midnight on Sunday.
Kanwarias from different parts of the country took a holy dip in the Ganga before performing worship.
Devotees entered into the Kashi Vishawanath temple through the Chhatadwar and exited from the Sarsawati Phatak. The devotees were frisked by jawans in the yellow security zone.
Elaborate security arrangements were made in and around the sensitive Gyanwapi complex and at other places of worship. Following recent terrorist strikes on religious and other places in the country, including last March’s Varanasi blast, security has been beefed up.
Senior police officials kept vigil on movement of devotees through closed circuit TV sets installed in the Gyanwapi control room.
For the first time this year, around 20 cameras have been also set up on the way from Dashwaswamedh market to the Chhatadwar.
{{/usCountry}}For the first time this year, around 20 cameras have been also set up on the way from Dashwaswamedh market to the Chhatadwar.
{{/usCountry}}Jawans and women constables of police, PAC, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) frisked the devotees with metal detectors at different points before reaching the Garbha Grih of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
A large number of devotees also offered Jalabhishek in different temple of Lord Shiva, such as Tilbhandshwar, Mahamrtyunjay, Markandey Mahadeo, Kedareshwar, Shool Tankeshwar and the Banaras Hindu University-based Kashi Vishwanath temple.