KANGRA (HP), SEP 21:The Kangra district administration has banned the carrying of coconuts inside the Jwalamukhi temple here in Himachal Pradesh during the Ashwin Navratras that begins September 26.

Lakh of pilgrims visit the shrine of Maa Jwalaji for nine days. Photography on the temple premises would also be banned.

A spokesman of the temple management said the doors of the temple will open at 5 am and the closing time will be fixed on the basis of the strength of the pilgrims visiting the temple on a day-to-day basis.

Aartis and bhog prasad will be held in the temple as per the scheduled time.

Hundred additional sevadars have been deputed for maintaining the cleanliness of the premises and the city and 50 additional policemen have also been deployed.

Six new digital CCTV cameras have been installed in the temple which will take a total of 72 inside the temple and its adjacent areas strengthening the security arrangements.

The spokesman said that there would be a complete ban on the entry of big vehicles into Jwalamukhi City.

Two parking lots have been set up outside the city, where all the big vehicles will be parked and from the same places, mudrika buses will be run which will drop the devotees free of cost to the main gate of the temple.

A medical camp will be set up outside the temple office, where doctors will be stationed.

A Police Control Room will also be set up in the city in view of Navratras. Apart from this, temporary police posts will be put up along the Kangra Dehra and Nadaun roads.

SDM Jwalamukhi Manoj Thakur said that the temple administration has made elaborate arrangements for Navratras and that all sorts of facilities would be available to the devotees. (UNI)