The one-month Neelkanth Mahadev Shravan Kanwar Mela started on Monday with expected rush of thousands of pilgrims to this ancient shrine located in Yamkeshsar block under Pauri district.
The number of pilgrims has been showing a steady rise over the years. The number was nearly 30 lakh last year. It was around 22 lakh in 2014.
Thousands of Kanwaris and other devotees performed the Jalabhishek ceremony on the first Monday of the Shravan in the Neelkanth Mahadev shrine.
Senior superintendent of police Nevidita Kukreti Kumar held a meeting with the police personnel at laxamanjhula on Sunday regarding the arrangements made for the famous Neelkanth Mela. He instructed them to keep a constant tab on the law and order and traffic arrangements. It has been made mandatory for all the pilgrims to register their names on entering the distract.
SSP said that there is a one- way entry from the barrage and five posts have been set up for registration. Briefing security and traffic arrangement, SSP said that 50 sub-inspectors, six SOs, nine women sub-inspectors, 55 head constables, 250 constables, 135 women constables, two traffic head constables and 17 traffic constables have been so far deployed for the Neelkanth Shravan Mela to ensure fool-proof security.
Three quick response teams have been stationed at Garurchatti, Neellkanth and laxamanjhula. They will rush to the spot in case of any emergency. The permanent armed guards have been deployedin Pundrasu, Ghaghalpani, the temple and some other areas.
Pauri circle officer DS Tomar is staying at Neelkanth to supervise things.
