Crowd of faith gathering at Saryu on Kartik Purnima

◆ Saryu bath started on Brahma Muhurta, strict security measures were taken at the ghats.

◆ Hanumangarhi, Ramlala and Kanak Bhawan and other temples were full of devotees till evening.

Ayodhya. A crowd of people of faith gathered at Ramnagari on Kartik Purnima. Around 10 to 15 lakh devotees took a dip in the holy Salila Saryu. The process of bathing and donation started at Saryu during Brahma Muhurta and continued till evening. By late afternoon there was a large crowd of devotees at Hanumangarhi, Ramjanmabhoomi, Kanak Bhawan and other temples. There were strict security measures during the fair. Plainclothes policewomen were deployed at the ghats. Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal, IG Praveen Kumar, District Magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh, SSP Rajkaran Nayyar and other administrative officials were continuously inspecting the fair area.

This was the first Kartik Purnima after Pran Pratistha. The devotees, including Ayodhya Mandal and Devipatan Mandal, had reached Ayodhya to take bath. Some devotees were staying in the monasteries and temples here after the parikrama, who after bathing, performed darshan and worshiped and headed towards their homes. Crowds were seen gathering at bus stops and train stations late into the night.

Bathing in Saryu on the day of Kartik Purnima grants the virtue of bathing in Saryu for the entire month. From this day the rituals of the devotees who stay in Ayodhya and observe Kalpavas for a month are also completed. With this the old Kartik fair held in Ramnagari also comes to an end.

Special arrangements and security have been made for devotees at the ghats. More than 150 changing rooms were built. For security reasons, the entire fairgrounds were divided into 6 zones and 40 sectors. Also, a large number of security forces were deployed at the bathing ghats. Water police, flood relief and SDRF teams were active for the safety of swimmers.

Special security measures were applied throughout the fairgrounds by water, land and air. Surveillance was carried out through drone cameras. ATS was also deployed. SSP Rajkaran Nayyar said the devotees had camped in Ayodhya since the parikrama. Your safety was extremely important to us. For this reason, a large number of forces were deployed. Detour measures were also taken on routes in several places. He said around 10 to 15 lakh devotees came to Ayodhya and took a holy dip.