Uttar Pradesh Tightens Security for Devotees as Sawan Begins

As the holy 'Sawan' month begins, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented stringent security measures to ensure smooth darshan and safety for devotees. Key cities like Varanasi and Muzaffarnagar see arrangements including no-vehicle zones, e-rickshaws for elders, CCTV surveillance, and closure of meat shops on Kanwar Yatra routes.

The Uttar Pradesh government announced on Sunday that it has implemented extensive measures to ensure strict security and an uninterrupted darshan experience for devotees as the holy month of 'Sawan' commences on Monday.

Spanning from July 22 to August 19, this spiritual period involves five Mondays dedicated to worshipping Mahadev. Varanasi, a focal point for devotees, will see several changes, including a no-vehicle zone from Maidagin to Godowlia, e-rickshaws for transporting elderly and differently-abled devotees, and CCTV surveillance to ensure safety. Measures to shield devotees from sun and rain have also been introduced.

In Muzaffarnagar, police efforts are geared towards making the Kanwar Yatra safe and incident-free. The 260-kilometer-long route has been divided into several zones, with heavy security deployment, including PAC and RAF units. Additionally, 1,800 CCTVs and drones will monitor the yatra. Both areas have also restricted meat shops along the routes to ensure a smooth pilgrim experience.