Shimla, Oct 20 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday congratulated the state police for ensuring safe and smooth darshan for over 10.25 lakh devotees who visited seven prominent Shakti Peeths and temples during the Ashwin Navratri from October 11 to 19.
Sukhu said ensuring the safety and convenience of lakhs of pilgrims visiting the state’s shrines was an important responsibility of the government.
He commended the coordinated efforts of the police, district administrations, temple trusts, Home Guards and other agencies in facilitating a smooth pilgrimage, according to an official statement.
A total of 10,25,726 devotees and 1,04,520 vehicles were recorded at the seven temples during the nine-day festival.
Shri Naina Devi Ji temple recorded the highest footfall of 3,95,226 devotees, followed by Shri Jawalamukhi Ji (1,80,000), Shri Chintpurni Ji (1,39,000), Shri Bala Sundri Ji at Trilokpur (1,06,600), Shri Chamunda Devi Ji (70,500), Shri Brijeshwari Devi Ji (69,400) and Shri Baglamukhi Ji (65,000).
Managing the large influx of devotees, particularly at temples located in hilly terrain with narrow approach roads and limited parking facilities, required detailed planning and continuous supervision, the statement said.
The police made arrangements for crowd management, traffic regulation, parking, queue management and public safety to ensure that devotees could undertake their pilgrimage peacefully and conveniently.
(PTI News)
