Ayodhya Sawan Jhula Mela Starts August 15 With Extensive Security

The Sawan Jhula Mela, a grand congregation of devotees in Ayodhya, will begin on August 15 and continue till August 28. The festival will commence with celebrations at Maniparvat, where Bhagwan Ram and Sita will participate in Jhula Vihar.

The administration and police have completed all preparations for the fair, which has been divided into six zones and 29 sectors. Police personnel will be deployed in two shifts, and a Mela Duty Office has been established at the Irrigation Dak Bungalow in Nayaghat.

SP City Ayodhya Chakrapani Tripathi said that adequate deployment has been ensured, ranging from Additional Superintendents of Police to constables, including women personnel. PAC, RAF, ATS commandos and SDRF teams will also remain on standby, while surveillance will be carried out through drone cameras with special focus on Maniparvat.

Acharya Indradev Mishra, Ritual In-charge of the Ram Temple and Manager of the festival, said that due to security considerations, Bhagwan Jhula Bihari will be taken to Kuber Navratna Tila instead of Maniparvat for Jhulan Vihar for the first time. A swing has been installed on a tree branch there, and devotees will also be able to swing the Lord.

The Sawan Jhula Mela begins from Sawan Shukla Tritiya, when processions of deities from representative temples culminate in a cultural celebration at Maniparvat. Lakhs of devotees receive the darshan of Yugal Bihari Sarkar during the festival.

Ayodhya is home to more than 5,000 small and large temples, and the festival’s grandeur will be especially visible at major religious centres, including Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, Kanak Bhawan, and Raja Dashrath Ji Ka Mahal. The tradition of celebrating the Sawan Jhula Mela is considered centuries old.

According to belief, when Ramlalla Sarkar was four months old and the month of Sawan arrived, Mother Kaushalya and the other queens swung all four brothers on a swing while singing Kajri songs. It is believed that the tradition has continued ever since and is observed every year in maths and temples across Ayodhya, including the Ram Janmabhoomi.

The administration has made elaborate arrangements for traffic management, crowd control and emergency services during the fair. Adequate police deployment has been ensured across Ayodhya to facilitate smooth movement of devotees, while traffic diversions will also be implemented on major festival days.

The festival is expected to attract lakhs of devotees, and the administration is taking all necessary steps to ensure their safety and comfort. With its rich history and cultural significance, the Sawan Jhula Mela is an important event in the calendar of Ayodhya, and its success is crucial for the city’s reputation as a major pilgrimage centre.

In conclusion, the Sawan Jhula Mela is a significant event in Ayodhya, and the administration is taking all necessary steps to ensure its success. The festival’s rich history and cultural significance make it an important part of the city’s heritage, and its continuation is crucial for the city’s reputation as a major pilgrimage centre.