Faisal Fareed
Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Sep 27: Devotees cannot break coconut at famous Vindhyavasini Temple in Mirzapur around 350 kms from Lucknow during Navratri festival. The restriction has been imposed in the wake of terror attacks and security alert. The Navratri festival begins from Wednesday in Northern part of the country.

Hindus consider it sacred to break coconut before a deity. However, this time it will not be allowed in Vindyavasini temple. Besides, they will not be allowed to touch the deity inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Further, the security has been spruced up in the temple. More than 5000 policemen including commandos will be on duty. Around 25 lac people are expected to attend the Navratri celebrations in Vindhyavasini temple. The pandits of the temple will be in a similar dress so that they are easily identifiable by the crowd.

UP has had its share of terror attacks in the past, the latest being a low intensity blast in Gorakshnath Temple in Gorakhpur. Earlier, a crude bomb also exploded in the city of Taj, Agra. On Monday, an email was received threatening to blow up Charbagh railway station. However, the mail has been traced to one Azad Engineering College campus situated around 15 kms from Lucknow. The college has an unprotected wi-fi campus. Police have seized hard disk and started investigations. No arrest has been made so far.