Thousands throng Varanasi's Lolark Kund for Chhath festival celebrations

Thousands of devotees from across the country thronged the historic Lolark Kund at Bhadaini in Varanasi as the Lolark Chhath Mahaparv is being celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. The ancient bathing ghat located in Assi Dakshin Mohalla of Nagwa ward has been witnessing a continuous stream of faithful pilgrims since morning, all seeking blessings for offspring, family prosperity and good health through ritual baths and prayers.

The administration has this year for the first time installed double barricading stretching more than 2 kilometers from Lolark Kund at Bhadaini all the way to Pandey Haveli to manage the massive crowds in an organized manner. To provide relief from the sun and humidity to the devotees, cloth canopies have been put up above the barricading. Separate entry and exit routes have been designated to ensure smooth movement of the pilgrims.

The administration estimates that more than four lakh devotees may arrive at Lolark Kund for ritual bathing and darshan. Long queues inside the barricaded area have been visible since morning and the entire area is filled with an atmosphere of religious fervor.

Keeping security arrangements in view, around 400 police personnel have been deployed. These include senior police officers, inspectors, station officers, women police personnel, PAC jawans and paramilitary force personnel. In view of the large number of women devotees arriving, women police personnel have been specially deployed at key locations.

The entire fair area is being monitored aerially through drone cameras. Activities are also being continuously watched from the command center. Administration and police officials are continuously inspecting the arrangements to ensure that devotees do not face any kind of inconvenience.

Devotees arriving from various states of the country are performing ritual baths and worship at the sacred pond with prayers for the happiness of their children, family well-being and health. On the occasion of Lolark Chhath, a wonderful confluence of faith, devotion and enthusiasm is being witnessed in Bhadaini, Assi and surrounding areas.