Kangra administration gears up to tackle Navratra rush

Our Correspondent

Palampur, August 8

Kangra district administration has made elaborate arrangements to deal with huge rush of pilgrims to religious shrines of Kangra situated at Jwalamukhi, Kangra and Chamunda Devi because of Sharavan Ashtami Navratra fair. The state government has made RT-PCR negative report and Covid 19 vaccination certificates mandatory for all the pilgrims.

Nipun Jindal, Deputy Commissioner, said here today that helpline numbers had been made public for the assistance of pilgrims. In addition, the ambulance facility would be available round the clock for the pilgrims reaching Kangra temples. Police personnel have been posted at all places to manage the affairs.

Besides, parking lots had also been developed in the temples two to three km away to avoid crowding. The administration would issue a slip for the entry of pilgrims in the temple. The slip will be mandatory.

He said police would be equipped with wireless system and temple officer and DSP would ensure that pilgrims were released in small groups so that proper social distancing was maintained.

He stated it would be ensured that devotees follow requisite social distancing norms. Regular sanitization and Covid appropriate behaviour as per the SOPs issued by the government of Himachal Pradesh would be ensured.

“No kirtan, bhajan, jagratas, langers, ringing bells, touching idols shall be permissible,” he added. Arrangements would be made to ensure separate entrance and exit at all the temples.

For the past fortnight thousands of devotees are reaching Kangra, Jwalamukhi and Chamunda daily from the adjoining states to pay obeisance.