Security stepped up at Dwarkadhish Temple ahead of Janmashtami
21 Aug 2008, 2052 Hrs

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Dwarka (Gujarat), August 21 (ANI): Gujarat police have tightened up security at the revered Dwarkadhish temple ahead of Janmashtami, the birthday of the Hindu god, lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna is believed to have lived in Dwarka and the people in this ancient city exhibit a certain sense of belongingness to the deity.

The security has been beefed up particularly as a precaution after the recent serial blasts in the state's principal city in Ahmedabad.

The historical temple of lord Krishna at Dwarkadhish and another Hindu god the lord Shiva's temple at Somnath are under high security zone. The security set up has been further strengthened.

With Janmasatmi falling on Saturday the temple at Dwarka will attract thousands of devotees and authorities are concerned over public safety and security.

"Every year lot of pilgrims come here from all over India. Around one hundred thousand visitors are likely to visit for 'Darshan' this year too. As far as the security aspect is concerned the temple falls under Z category (high risk area)," said T. R. Gangani, Administrator, Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat.

He added that special arrangements have been made for the Darshan with the formation of two different lines for men and women.

Dwarka temple has four gates in which four Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras have been installed and these functions round the clock keeping an eye on every visitor.

"We have made very strict security arrangements at Dwarkadhish temple. All the visitors can be rest assured that they could have the Darshan without any fear. Our security personnel are keeping a watch for 24 hours on all activities," said D. N. Maru, Security in-charge, Dwarkadhish temple.

On the outer concourse of the temple, platoons of reserve police force from the Gujarat police as well as Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed.

According to Hindu mythology, Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver and one of the trinities of the Hindu pantheon.

Krishna is believed to have taken human form to destroy an evil king called Kansa, who ruled some parts of the northern Indian region with Mathura as his capital.

Krishna's imprisoned parents had to smuggle out the child born at midnight to Gokul to save him from the wrath of Kansa.

Birth anniversary of the Krishna is celebrated as 'Janmashtami', celebrated on two consecutive days; the first is the day when Krishna was actually born, and the second, when he reached Gokul. (ANI)