By Arshad Afzaal Khan

Ayodhya, Nov 19 (IANS): The temple town of Ayodhya that has seen harsh restrictions during the Deepotsav celebration on the occasion of Diwali festiwal will once again be under strict guard. This time, a centuries-old tradition will be broken in Kartik Mela.

Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the 'panch kosi parikrama' and 'chaudah kosi parikrama' in which lakhs of devotees used to participate , will now be banned this time.

Outside devotees will not be allowed to attend the main festival of Kartik Mela, Chaudhkosi and Panchkosi Parikrama , as only locals will be allowed to participate.

Every year a large number of devotees reach Ayodhya from every corner of the country in the parikrama. A large number of foreign tourists also participate in this religious event during the parikrama to see the spiritual aura of the temple town.

Administrative sources told that restricting the Parikrama. This step has been taken as a precaution in view of the second wave of Corona in other provinces of the country.

There will be more restrictions in Parikrama than the restrictions being put in Deepotsav. Traffics will be diverted from the borders of the Ayodhya. To convince the devotees, an appeal is being made to them through the meetings of the Peace Committee in Ayodhya and adjoining districts from where more devotees are expected.

Talking to IANS , Ayodhya DIG Deepak Kumar said , "We are in contact with the administration of neighbouring districts of Ayodhya those are Ambedkar Nagar, Barabanki, Sultanpur, Basti, Gonda, Pratapgarh, Shrawasti, Balrampur and Amethi. Barriers are being installed at all borders and deployments of heavy security forces are being done including para military forces.

The Chaudhkosi Parikrama will begin on the night of November 22. It is from here that Kartik Mela is considered to be the beginning. The Panchakosi Parikrama is on November 25, while the Purkartik Purnima bath will take place on November 30. Outside devotees are also not allowed to attend the bath.