VIP Darshan Suspended at Kashi Vishwanath on Mahashivratri; Special Rules for Devotees
Varanasi (The Uttam Hindu): There will be no VIP Darshan facility at Kashi Vishwanath Temple from 25 to 27 February. The temple administration has taken this decision due to the possibility of a huge crowd of devotees on Mahashivratri. Kashi Vishwanath Trust gave this information on social media platform X. It wrote, "There will be a complete ban on the protocol darshan system for three days from Tuesday on Mahashivratri. The officials of the temple trust have appealed to the people of Kashi to cooperate in the arrangements made for Mahashivratri. The people of Kashi have assured full cooperation in the arrangements of the temple trust for the convenience of the devotees."
Actually, traditionally five to six lakh devotees used to reach Kashi Vishwanath Dham for darshan on a festival or a special date, but since the beginning of Maha Kumbh, seven lakh or more devotees come to visit the temple every day. On this occasion, the number of devotees on February 26 can be between 14 to 15 lakh, which can create many challenges in crowd management.
The temple administration has started special preparations to control the crowd. The temple administration has appealed to the devotees to take time as per their convenience for darshan, as there may be delay in the queue. Also, it has been advised to leave items like pen, comb, mobile, belt, electronic device, keys etc. at home or hotel so that there is no hindrance in the security system.
On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees will only be provided with tableau darshan and entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple has been restricted. Strict security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident.
Under special arrangements, wheelchair facilities have been arranged for the elderly and the disabled. Devotees can also reach Baba Darbar by golf cart or e-rickshaw from Godaulia and Maidagin. Apart from this, with the help of the temple staff, arrangements have also been made to take the elderly out of the Dham area after giving them darshan quickly.
