30 lakh undertake Chaudah Kosi Parikrama in Ayodhya

AYODHYA: Almost thirty lakh people gathered in Ayodhya on Tuesday to take part in the Chaudah Kosi Parikrama after taking holy dip in the Saryu. The parikrama began in the wee hours of Tuesday as devotees began to walk around the temple town. A kos, according to Arthashastra, is 3.075 kilometres, which means the devotees will cover a distance of around 43 kilometres by Thursday morning.

Along with 30 lakh devotees, around 2 lakh sadhus from different religious places such as Prayagraj, Haridwar, Mathura, Kashi and Puri and other seats of Hindu religion, are also in Ayodhya to perform the parikrama, said Mahant Dhanidhar Das from Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi temple.

Tight security arrangements have been made around the temple town to ensure devotees complete the rituals without any hassle. Senior superintendent of police RK Nayyar said that CCTV cameras have been installed at over 200 places besides deploying civil police at crucial security points.

"The Rapid Action Force of CRPF, PAC of UP Police, paramilitary forces along with anti-terrorist squad have been deployed at various places to ensure safety of pilgrims completing the parikrama. Bomb disposal squads, anti-sabotage teams and intelligence units have also been roped in," the SSP said.

The whole parikrama area has been divided into five zones and 12 sectors to be supervised by a deputy SP-rank police officer each while an additional SP-rank officer each will be posted at two main security zones, said the SSP.