Prayagraj: To facilitate smooth process for darshan and ‘Jalabhishek’ for devotees, separate queues were arranged for men and women devotees at prominent Lord Shiv temples in Fatehpur, Pratapgarh and Kaushambi districts.IG (Prayagraj range) Ajay Kumar Mishra told TOI, “With a focus on the safety, convenience, and dignity of women devotees, it was ensured that only women police personnel were on duty inside the sanctum sanctorum of temples while female devotees perform the Jalabhishek. He added, “Men devotees were permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum only after the women devotees completed their ritual”. Special arrangements were made at five prominent Shiv temples in Fatehpur including Tameshwar temple, Rajrajeshwar temple (alias Bade Baba), Dhavaishwar temple, Jageshwar temple, Gudheshwar temple and Kundeshwar temple.Similarly, only men devotees were allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum during the ‘Jalabhishek’ performed by men devotees, while the police force continuously ensured security, crowd control, and the convenience of the devotees.Constant surveillance was being maintained over temple premises, entry and exit routes, and nearby sensitive locations. Traffic police personnel were also deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow as required.The district police appealed devotees to adhere to the guidelines issued by the administration and follow the designated queues ‘darshan’ and ‘Jalabhishek’, avoid gathering in unnecessary crowds, and immediately report any suspicious person or object to the nearest police personnel or via Dial-112.Cops also sought devotees’ cooperation in maintaining a peaceful, safe, and harmonious atmosphere.
