The Deputy Commissioner issued orders to SDMs Shimla Urban, Shimla Rural, Jubbal and Rampur.
Special arrangements will be made in the temples of Shimla district during Navratri. Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Temples, Shimla, Anupam Kashyap has issued instructions regarding the arrangements in the major temples of the district. It is noteworthy that Navratri begins on September 22nd and special arrangements will be made during this period till Dussehra on October 2nd, 2025.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that during Navratri and Dussehra, special arrangements will be in place at the district’s temples to provide better facilities to devotees and tourists. He appealed to the general public and devotees to cooperate in adhering to the rules and regulations established by the temple management. During Navratri, temples are visited by a large number of devotees. These arrangements will be implemented at the district’s Tara Devi Temple, Jakhu Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Hatkoti Mata Temple, and Maa Bhimakali Temple, focusing on law and order, sanitation, emergency arrangements, traffic congestion control, general management, and surveillance. Instructions have been issued to the Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Shimla Urban, Shimla Rural, Jubbal, and Rampur. Failure to comply with these orders will result in strict action.
As per the order, adequate police force should be deployed within the temple complex and at potential crowded locations to ensure security and law and order. The police force will strictly maintain traffic and law and order, and CCTV cameras will be installed at sensitive locations to monitor them. Alternative entry and exit routes should be constructed to avoid stampedes. The deployment of QRTs and medical aid posts should also be ensured.
Under sanitation measures, cleanliness should be maintained within the temple complex and surrounding areas, and temporary toilets, drinking water, garbage disposal, and dustbins should be provided. Local bodies should deploy dedicated sanitation workers for 24-hour duty. Additionally, health and emergency services, including first aid camps, ambulance services near the temple complex, fire tenders from the fire department, and other local strategies should be ensured. Similarly, appropriate traffic diversion plans should be implemented for traffic and crowd management. Adequate parking spaces should be identified and publicized in advance. A public announcement system should be installed to guide visitors regarding routes, parking, and safety measures.
As per the order, adequate police force should be deployed within the temple complex and at potential crowded locations to ensure security and law and order. The police force will strictly maintain traffic and law and order, and CCTV cameras will be installed at sensitive locations to monitor them. Alternative entry and exit routes should be constructed to avoid stampedes. The deployment of QRTs and medical aid posts should also be ensured.
Under sanitation measures, cleanliness should be maintained within the temple complex and surrounding areas, and temporary toilets, drinking water, garbage disposal, and dustbins should be provided. Local bodies should deploy dedicated sanitation workers for 24-hour duty. Additionally, health and emergency services, including first aid camps, ambulance services near the temple complex, fire tenders from the fire department, and other local strategies should be ensured. Similarly, appropriate traffic diversion plans should be implemented for traffic and crowd management. Adequate parking spaces should be identified and publicized in advance. A public announcement system should be installed to guide visitors regarding routes, parking, and safety measures.
General arrangements should include ensuring proper lighting in the temple complex and access roads. Coordination should be established with the electricity and water supply departments for uninterrupted services. Special attention should be paid to women, children, and the elderly during crowds. The escalator at Jakhu Temple should operate one-way, and its proper operation should be ensured to avoid any untoward incidents.
The concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate will personally monitor the arrangements in his jurisdiction and submit daily status report to the Deputy Commissioner during Navratri.
The concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate will personally monitor the arrangements in his jurisdiction and submit daily status report to the Deputy Commissioner during Navratri.
These subdivisional magistrates have been instructed to coordinate with the relevant departments to ensure that Navratri is conducted in a safe, clean, and orderly manner. They have also been instructed to ensure strict adherence to these guidelines.
