CM Yogi Adityanath inspected the preparations for Garhmukteshwar and Tigri fair. He gave strict instructions to the officials for security, cleanliness, electricity, traffic and facilities for the devotees. This year the fair will be organized as ‘Mini Kumbh’.
Lucknow/Garhmukteshwar. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday took stock of the preparations for the annual Kartik Purnima fair to be held at Garhmukteshwar in Hapur district and Tigri fair of Amroha. He conducted an aerial survey of the fair area and gave necessary directions to all the concerned departments in the review meeting.
The Chief Minister said that on this auspicious occasion, every year about 40 to 45 lakh devotees reach the banks of Ganga for bathing and donating lamps. Therefore, all arrangements should be made in a timely and coordinated manner so that no one is inconvenienced.
Special emphasis on traffic, safety and cleanliness
Chief Minister Yogi directed that top priority should be given to traffic system, security, cleanliness, health, drinking water and lighting system. This year, it is planned to organize this fair as ‘Mini Kumbh’ which will run from 30 October to 5 November.
Safety of devotees is paramount, NDRF and SDRF will be deployed.
Yogi Adityanath said that the safety of devotees is paramount. For this, NDRF and SDRF teams should be deployed on the Ganga ghats. Also, arrangements for CCTV, drone surveillance, rescue boats and helpline centers should be ensured. He also said that the fair should be linked to the message of cleanliness and environment protection and a complete ban should be imposed on single use plastic.
Strong preparations for security, barricading and lighting at the ghats
The Chief Minister directed that checker plates should be installed on the ghats, technical investigation of the pontoon bridge should be done and dredging work in the erosion areas should be completed by the Irrigation Department immediately. He said that NDRF/SDRF and flood units should remain alert in deep water areas, necessary barricading should be done, and counseling sessions should be organized for disciplined conduct of the devotees.
CCTV, public address system and control center will remain active in the fair.
The Chief Minister said that CCTV cameras, public address system and integrated control center should work actively in the entire fair area. Besides, instructions were given to pay special attention to the safety of vehicles, broadcasting system and cleanliness at the parking lots.
Chief Minister’s emphasis on cleanliness and environmental protection
The Chief Minister said that zero liquid discharge system should be implemented in temporary toilets so that there is no leakage of any kind. Crowd regulation at the ghats, changing rooms, clean toilets, ban on single use plastic, garbage and bottle collection system should be ensured. He instructed the electricity department to take care of uninterrupted power supply and electric safety.
Attractive decorations and promotion of public welfare schemes
The Chief Minister said that attractive decorations should be done in the fair area and hoardings should be put up to promote public welfare schemes of the government. Also, adequate arrangements should be made for fire safety system, temporary hospital, anti-snake venom and anti-rabies vaccine. Patrolling by police and NDRF should be increased during bathing in water, and traffic diversion plan should be implemented within a radius of 20-25 kilometers so that there is no jam of any kind.
Facilities ensured for devotees and volunteers
The Chief Minister directed that no extra fee should be charged from the devotees and proper arrangements should be made for fodder and drinking water for the animals. Arrangements for food and rest of the volunteers on duty should be ensured.
He said that all the departments should work in mutual coordination so that this fair of Garhmukteshwar becomes an example of faith, order and discipline.
Importance related to faith and history of Garhmukteshwar
Chief Minister Yogi said that this event of Garhmukteshwar is a living symbol of faith, spirituality and cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh. The aim of the government is that this fair should be conducted with reverence, discipline and cleanliness, so that every visitor returns with peace and blessings. Before this, the Chief Minister performed Ganga puja, inspected Sadar Bazaar and also visited the Modha store being built in Garh Mukteshwar. He appreciated the quality of the modha.
Religious and mythological importance of Garhmukteshwar
The religious history of Garhmukteshwar is very ancient. It is believed that after the war of Mahabharata, Yudhishthir, Arjun and Lord Shri Krishna took bath in the Ganga here for the peace of the souls of their ancestors. It is also believed that Lord Parshuram had established Mukteshwar Mahadev here. It is mentioned in Skanda Purana and Mahabharata as a place of pilgrimage, where salvation is attained by bathing in Ganga and offering libation. The Kartik Purnima fair of Garhmukteshwar is not only a symbol of religious faith but also a reflection of cultural tradition and folk life. Every year lakhs of devotees reach Brij Ghat and Mukteshwar Ghat for bathing, lamp donation and Pitru Tarpan.