Enhanced Security Measures Planned for Ayodhya During Sawan Festival

Security Preparations for Sawan Festival in Ayodhya

Ayodhya, July 27 – In anticipation of large crowds during the Sawan Jhula Mela and Kanwar Yatra, significant changes are being implemented regarding security and visitor arrangements at the Ram Temple. Administrative sources revealed this information on Monday. According to these sources, access to the temple complex may be restricted for general devotees without passes from August 8 to 11 and August 23 to 28.

If the number of visitors becomes overwhelming, access to the six sub-temples within the temple precincts may also be temporarily halted, with the possibility of extending the viewing hours for Ram Lala. Officials estimate that between 1 to 1.5 million devotees could visit Ayodhya during the Sawan festival, with daily attendance expected to reach two to three hundred thousand even on regular days in August.

Sources indicated that the highest influx of Kanwariyas is anticipated on the second Monday of Sawan, August 10. Under the proposed arrangements, only pass holders will be allowed entry to the Sapta Mandapam and Kuber Navratna Teela. Currently, the temple issues 1,500 passes in two-hour slots for general viewing.

These passes can be obtained online through the official website of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Ashutosh Tiwari, the police circle officer of Ayodhya, stated that the number of CCTV cameras will be increased during the festival. The area will also be equipped with a public announcement system, additional lighting, pilgrim assistance centers, and lost-and-found facilities, along with the deployment of extra police and PAC personnel.

He further mentioned that security will be tightened at the Saryu ghats and major temples, including Nageshwar Nath, Kshireswar Nath, Hanumangarhi, and Kanak Bhawan. Vijay Shankar Mishra, the Superintendent of Police (Security), noted that no changes have been made to the current arrangements yet, but route alterations and other restrictions will be implemented based on crowd size. A security review meeting has already been conducted under the leadership of Somen Verma, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Ayodhya region, with the final security roadmap to be approved in a meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Security Coordination Committee.

The district administration has reported that the Ram Temple has the capacity to accommodate around two hundred thousand devotees daily. If the crowd exceeds this number, devotees will be allowed to visit in a phased manner along designated routes.