The first day of Navratri, a large crowd of faithful gathered in Sambhal, Varanasi and Ayodhya on Sunday. The devotees loved the goddess in the temples. In addition, with the preparations for Eid, there was enormous beauty on the markets. Close security arrangements have been taken to maintain peace in the state. Given certain municipal disputes in recent times, the police administration has increased vigilance.
Temples and markets in Sambhal
A huge crowd of faithful was seen in the temple of Chamunda DEVI in Sambhal and the Durga temple in Rambagh Dham. Chanchal Sunny Gupta, member of district 18 of the municipality, said that “there is a lot of enthusiasm among the faithful. All the temples have been cleaned and there are solid safety arrangements”.
There is also an atmosphere of happiness among traders. Ehtisha Ahmed, president of the All India Industry and Trade Board, said: “There is a huge crowd on the markets due to Eid. Trade is going well and the sale has increased considerably.”
Crowds have gathered in the main temples of Varanasi
The Temple of Shailputri, the Durga Kund temple and the Varanasi Devi Visalakshi Temple were seriously decorated. Sonu Jha, the priest of the Durga Kund temple, said that “the temple doors have been opened since morning and that the goddess has received a Bath of Panchagavya”.
Keeping security in mind, the assistant police commissioner of Varanasi Vidush Saxena said that a police force had been deployed around the temples. Additional security personnel and PAC forces have been deployed in overcrowded areas.
Atmosphere of devotion and cheerfulness in Ayodhya
A crowd of faithful joked the great Devkali and Chhoti Devkali temples of Ayodhya. The whole city resonated with the cries of “Jai Mata Di”. In the Saryu river, the faithful began the new Samvatsar 2082 by offering Argha at sunrise.
There was a crowd of faithful to Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi, Mata Mari temple, Patehwari Mata and Temple Sheetla Mata. Ayodhya’s SSP Rajkaran Nayar said that “special security forces have been deployed around temples, separate police teams have also been deployed for women”.
Prohibition of illegal slaughterhouses and meat sales
The government of Uttar Pradesh has prohibited sales of meat and illegal slaughterhouses less than 500 meters from religious places until April 6. Meat sales will be completely closed throughout the state of Ram Navami.
The government has directed strict measures under the municipal UP Corporation Act 1959 and the 2006 and 2011 law of food security.
