Kataka: More than 34 lakh devotees offered prayers at 452 major Shaiva peethas across Odisha during the four Mondays of the holy Shravan month, with the state police reporting that the month-long festivities passed off peacefully without any major law-and-order issue or stampede-like incident.
The Odisha Police had made elaborate arrangements across 35 police districts to facilitate safe darshan, regulate traffic and manage crowds at prominent Shaiva shrines. Deployment of personnel was tailored to the expected footfall at different temples, while special measures were taken at major pilgrimage centres in districts including Bolangir, Baleshwar and Koraput.
In the Central Range headquartered at Kataka, extensive security arrangements were put in place at prominent shrines including Lokanath Dev, Jodalinga Shiva, Balikapileswar and Dhabaleswar.
Ahead of each Shravan Monday, the Commissionerate Police and district police issued traffic advisories based on anticipated crowd movement. Restrictions were imposed in vulnerable locations from Sunday evening through Monday afternoon, while traffic was regulated at key points such as Gadagadia Ghat and Madhusudan Bridge. Police also ensured unhindered passage for emergency vehicles.
Special crowd-management teams and Quick Response Teams were deployed at major temples to respond to situations arising from heavy gatherings. Dedicated arrangements were also made to assist women, senior citizens, children and devotees with disabilities.
Security was stepped up around rivers and other water bodies near pilgrimage sites, while police personnel worked in coordination with temple servitors, volunteers and local residents to improve the safety and convenience of devotees.
The prescribed guidelines for management of the Shravan melas were followed, with coordination meetings held at different levels and continuous communication among officers and field personnel to ensure smooth arrangements.
Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra attributed the successful conclusion of the Shravan period to advance planning, coordination among different police ranges and cooperation from devotees.
He congratulated the range officers, Superintendents of Police of various districts and their teams for effectively carrying out the security and crowd-management responsibilities during the Shravan festivities.
