Authorities from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi have established a movable idol of Lord Vishwanath at the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj. Simultaneously, Varanasi's police and district administration have drawn up extensive plans to manage potential crowd surges, using lessons learned from the 2025 Maha Kumbh.
Sacred Idol Established at Mela Grounds
On Friday, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple trust completed the rituals for installing the movable deity, now revered as Shri Kumbheshwar Mahadev, at its camp in Sector-2 on Sangam Upper Road within the Magh Mela area. Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, the temple's chief executive officer, stated that priests from the Shri Kumbheshwar Mahadev and Bade Hanuman temples, along with Magh Mela officials, conducted all ceremonies and aarti.
The deity will receive daily rudrabhishek and bhog aarti until the fair concludes. A special worship ceremony is scheduled for Paush Purnima, where the mahant of Bade Hanumanji Temple and mela officials will pray for the event's smooth completion.
Proactive Crowd and Traffic Management Plans
Anticipating heavy movement of devotees traveling to and from Prayagraj, Varanasi's Commissioner of Police, Mohit Agrawal, and District Magistrate, Satyendra Kumar, held a crucial coordination meeting on Friday evening. Their primary goal is to strengthen traffic, crowd control, and overall security.
Officials analyzed the flow patterns observed during the 2025 Maha Kumbh to identify potential routes for devotee movement. Based on this, they have finalized a multi-pronged strategy which includes:
- Implementing one-way traffic operations on key routes.
- Deploying additional police personnel.
- Ensuring continuous monitoring of the situation.
Focus on Safety and Surveillance Infrastructure
The plans place special emphasis on robust infrastructure and facilities. Authorities have mandated standard-compliant barricading at major routes, Ganga ghats, and sensitive spots. Surveillance will be enhanced through watchtowers, CCTV networks, and drone cameras.
Key instructions issued for public safety and convenience are:
- Creating safe bathing lanes and separate changing rooms for women devotees.
- Designating holding areas at railway stations and school premises.
- Organizing systematic parking arrangements inside and outside the city.
- Declaring a no-vehicle zone around the mela and temple periphery well in advance, permitting only essential services.
- Ensuring adequate police force is present at all times.
These comprehensive measures aim to ensure a secure and orderly environment for the thousands of expected pilgrims, drawing directly from the large-scale management experience of the recent Maha Kumbh.
