Lakhs of devotees thronged to over 1200 Shiva temples in Bijnor and Amroha on the occasion of Mahashivratri to offer holy water from the Ganga. The occasion also marked the culmination of the annual Kanwar Yatra on Friday.
The biggest crowds were witnessed at Mota Mahadev Temple in Najibabad, Syau Shiv Temple, and Khari’s Jharkhandi Temple in Bijnor. Long queues snaked outside prominent Shiva shrines, with Bijnor boasting over 800 such temples and Amroha housing at least 400.
Authorities deployed a heavy police force throughout the districts, with a special focus on areas around major temples.
Forest officials also remained vigilant due to recent leopard sightings in the region. Social organisations set up numerous camps along the routes, providing refreshments and assistance to the Kanwariyas (pilgrims).
Bijnor superintendent of police, Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, visited several temples to oversee security arrangements. Speaking to TOI, he said, “The Maha Shivratri festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm and peace. We deployed a significant police force along the Kanwar Yatra route to ensure safety.”
Meanwhile, the celebratory mood in Amroha was tragically cut short when a mini truck struck a motorcycle carrying two friends, killing them both. Sonu Kumar (25) and Pinku (23) were returning from Moradabad and on their way to offer Gangajal at a Shiva temple when the incident happened on NH-9 near Didauli police station in the early hours of Friday.
