Mini Kumbh begins in Girnar with 'Har Har Mahadev' chant: Flag hoisted at Bhavnath temple on 55 kg fine; Ban on vehicles at the fair this year

Mahashivratri, which is traditionally celebrated every year in the holy foothills of Girnar in Junagadh, has begun this year as 'Mini Kumbh'. This morning (January 11), in the presence of sadhus, mahants and senior officials of the administration, the flag of religion was hoisted on a 55 kg strong flagpole on the top of Bhavnath Mahadev. The five-day fair has been formally opened from today with chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Jai Girnari' after the rituals and pujas. Ban on entry of vehicles from Bhardavav and Girnar gates Special arrangements have been made by the administration to organize the mini-Kumbh this year. Entry of vehicles has been banned from Bhardavav and Girnar gates for the safety of devotees and to regulate traffic. This morning, the Junagadh administration, officials and office bearers of the corporation also reached the Bhavnath temple on foot from Bhardavav like ordinary devotees. The purpose behind this event is to ensure that the devotees do not face any inconvenience in the midst of the crowd of lakhs. Naga Sadhus perform special puja and start worshipping Alakh to the chant of Har Har Mahadev After the flag hoisting ceremony, the Naga sadhus sitting at the foot of Bhavnath performed special pujas and started worshipping Alakh with the chant of Har Har Mahadev. This festival of Shivratri is a triveni confluence of bhajan, food and devotion. From large food fields to small landfills have been set up to serve the lakhs of devotees who have come to the fair. Devotees from all over the country and abroad throng in this festival of faith, who get the blessing of Bhavnath along with the darshan of saints. The fair area has been divided into 5 main zones Junagadh police have arranged iron barricades for security. A total of 3500 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order in the fair. The police force includes 1 ASP, 9 DySP, 38 PI, 135 PSI, 1582 police personnel, 125 traffic police, 2 companies of SRP, 600 home guards and 651 GRD personnel. The entire Mela area has been divided into 5 major zones namely Damodar Kund, Rupayatan, Bhavnath, Girnar and City Zone. CCTV and drones to be monitored Through the use of modern technology, hawk watches are being kept at the fair. A special control room has been set up at Bhavnath police station, from where 570 high-resolution CCTV cameras and drones will be used to monitor the entire movement. As many as 35 police stations, 8 watch towers and 14 public announcement systems have been installed in the fair. 4 teams of Bomb Squad (BDDS), Dog Squad and 6 QR Teams are also deployed to prevent any untoward incident. 24 parking points have been set up For the first time this year, 800 volunteers will work shoulder to shoulder with the police to control the crowd and help the devotees. Parking has been increased from 8 points earlier to 24 points this time due to the ban on entry for vehicles. For the convenience of passengers, 108 ambulances will be deployed at 5 places and medical teams will be deployed at 15 locations. Apart from this, firefighters have also been kept ready at 5 places and relief and rescue teams at 2 points for firefighting. Thus, the auspicious beginning of the Mahakumbh of faith has begun in the lap of Girnar.