Mathura,

29 Dec (HS): A large number of devotees arrived at Thakur Banke Bihari Temple

on Monday morning, amidst the fog, to have darshan of the deity. Long queues of

devotees formed from the temple square to the entry points. The temple

management, anticipating a large crowd from December 29th to January 5th,

appealed to the devotees to avoid crowds and issued an advisory for the

devotees. Despite the biting cold, a large number of devotees arrived at the

temple on Monday morning to have darshan of Shri Banke Bihari. Devotees had

darshan amidst the pressure and jostling of the crowd.

In

view of this, Munish Sharma, the manager of the Shri Banke Bihari Temple,

issued an advisory for the devotees. In this, he appealed to the devotees

coming for New Year from December 29th to January 5th to avoid crowds. He

stated that a large number of devotees will visit during these days. Unless

necessary, they should avoid visiting the temple during these times. The temple

management advised devotees to plan their visit only after inquiring about the

crowds before coming to the temple. They should not bring valuables with them,

listen carefully to announcements made on microphones in and around the temple,

and avoid wearing shoes or slippers, and be wary of pickpockets and mobile

phone thieves active among the crowds.

Devotees

and their companions should keep a slip of paper with their home address and

mobile number in their pockets. Sick devotees should avoid the crowds.

Meanwhile, sevayat Ashish Goswami stated that a large number of devotees are

arriving for New Year's Day. Due to the crowds in the temple streets, even the

supply of water bottles is being disrupted. The large number of devotees in the

temple and streets is causing problems. Therefore, he appealed to devotees not

to come to the city till Jan 5.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi