Indore is preparing for a massive spiritual gathering as thousands of devotees are anticipated to visit the city's prominent temples on January 1st, 2024, to welcome the New Year with prayers and devotion. The district administration and temple authorities have collaborated on extensive preparations to manage the heavy footfall expected from late night on December 31st, focusing on smooth darshan, effective crowd control, and overall devotee safety.
Khajrana Ganesh Temple's Detailed Plan
At the renowned Khajrana Ganesh temple, specific measures have been put in place. The entry of devotees will be closed at 11 pm on December 31st, with darshan resuming early at 4 am on January 1st. To regulate the expected crowds, the management has created two separate entry routes.
One entry point is from the sweets shop side, where zigzag railings have been installed to manage orderly queues. A second entry is being developed opposite the Annashetra garden area, featuring a temporary tented corridor. Access through this route will require passes. A dedicated exit route has also been planned to ensure devotees can complete their darshan efficiently within 10 to 15 minutes.
Chief priest Ashok Bhatt explained that the adjusted timings were made with public safety as the priority. He stated that the closure after 11 pm and early morning reopening at 4 am will allow devotees to begin the New Year with peaceful worship, and he urged everyone to maintain queue discipline.
Comprehensive Security and Facilities
The security and facility arrangements are robust. CCTV cameras will monitor the entire temple premises from a central control room. For devotee convenience and safety, temporary medical aid centres, police help desks, and a lost-and-found centre will be operational throughout the event. Notably, the Annashetra (community kitchen) will remain closed on January 1st.
Other Major Temples Ready for Devotees
Other significant temples in Indore are also implementing special schedules to accommodate the large crowds. The Ranjit Hanuman temple will open its doors at 5 am on December 31st and remain open until the last devotee leaves. Demonstrating remarkable continuity, the Jai Mahakali temple at Khajrana will stay open for nearly 44 hours non-stop. Similarly, the Annapurna temple will keep its gates open on New Year's Day until the final devotee has offered prayers.
With this heightened level of planning and security coordination, Indore's spiritual centres are set to welcome 2024 with a blend of deep devotion and meticulous order, ensuring a safe and fulfilling experience for all visitors.
