Lord Shiva in New Form Every Monday at Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Massive arrangements in Varanasi for smooth darshan, live streaming, and safety of devotees and Kanwar pilgrims

Varanasi – As the holy month of Sawan (Shravan) begins, the Uttar Pradesh government has made elaborate arrangements for the influx of devotees to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has prioritized seamless darshan and enhanced safety for Shiva devotees, including thousands of Kanwar pilgrims arriving from across the country.

On the first Monday of Sawan (July 14), Baba Vishwanath’s ‘Chal Pratima’ (mobile idol) will be adorned in a special form. Every Monday during the month, Lord Shiva will be decorated in distinct divine forms, with elaborate rituals and special decorations also planned on Purnima (full moon day).

According to Vishwabhushan Mishra, CEO of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, this Monday’s ‘Neelkanth’ avatar of Mahadev will be the highlight, drawing large crowds of devotees eager for darshan and jalabhishek (holy water offering).

Red Carpet Welcome, Flower Showers & Devotee Support Infrastructure

To enhance the experience, devotees and Kanwar pilgrims will be welcomed with red carpet and flower showers on the temple route. The government has introduced zig-zag barricading inside the shrine complex to manage foot traffic and prevent congestion. German hangars and shaded shelters have been installed to protect visitors from the heat, rain, and sun.

Devotees will be offered ORS and glucose water at regular intervals, along with jaggery and drinking water counters. A Lost & Found center with multilingual staff is also functioning within the temple premises.

Robust Health & Emergency Preparedness

The temple complex will have five medical assistance points, with two ambulances, including one equipped with Advanced Life Support (ALS). Medical teams will remain on standby for emergencies throughout the pilgrimage period.

Live Broadcasts for Devotees Worldwide

For those unable to visit in person, live broadcasts of rituals and darshan from the sanctum sanctorum will be available. Large LED screens have been installed at six strategic points—including the ghats, railway station, and Godowlia crossing. In addition, YouTube livestreaming will allow Shiva devotees from around the world to witness the grandeur of Sawan festivities at Kashi Vishwanath.

Unprecedented Security and Surveillance Arrangements

In light of the massive turnout, Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal confirmed that one lane of the Prayagraj–Varanasi highway will be exclusively reserved for Kanwar pilgrims. The state has deployed:

  • 10 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) on 24/7 duty

  • 200 CCTV cameras and 8 surveillance drones

  • Over 20 motorcycle patrol teams for mobile security

  • Around 1,500 police personnel on round-the-clock duty

  • Plainclothes officers for crowd management and internal security

These multi-layered safety measures ensure both spiritual serenity and physical safety for millions of devotees expected to arrive this Sawan.

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