Dhar Bhojshala Hosts Maa Vagdevi Puja and Friday Namaz Together After a Decade; 8,000 Security Personnel Deployed

Dhar, Madhya Pradesh: After a gap of ten years, the historic Bhojshala in Dhar is witnessing the Maa Vagdevi Puja and Friday Namaz being held on the same day. Devotees gathered early in the morning to participate in the worship, which began with Vedic mantras and Havan-yajna, drawing large crowds. The Friday Namaz is scheduled from 1 PM to 3 PM.

Heavy Security Deployment

The administration has implemented strict security arrangements. Over 8,000 personnel from the local police, CRPF, and Rapid Action Force have been deployed across the city, including major roads, sensitive areas, and the Bhojshala premises. Drone surveillance is being used to monitor the entire area, and access to the site is being regulated.

Timings and Court Orders

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the Hindu community may conduct worship from sunrise to 1 PM and resume in the evening after Namaz, while the Muslim community may offer Namaz from 1 PM to 3 PM, keeping the premises empty during that interval. Authorities are strictly adhering to these directions.

Safety Measures and Access

To ensure safety, the 300-meter area around the Bhojshala has been declared a no-fly zone, banning drones, UAVs, hot air balloons, and paragliding. Separate entry routes have been arranged for Hindu and Muslim devotees, and access is allowed only after thorough security checks.

Decade-Long Coincidence

Previously, in 2006, 2013, and 2016, similar overlaps of Puja and Namaz occurred, which had led to tense situations in the region. Taking lessons from these events, authorities have preemptively deployed additional security to maintain law and order.

Collector Priyank Mishra stated that all officials and staff are fully committed to ensuring peaceful conduct of the events. Worship and Namaz are proceeding in accordance with Supreme Court instructions, with crowd management and safety arrangements in place based on actual attendance.