As the holy month of Sawan begins, security and civic arrangements have been finalised at the Gola Gokarannath Shiv temple in Lakhimpur, a town revered as "Chhoti Kashi" among Shiv devotees. Lakhs of kanwariyas travel here from Haridwar, Farrukhabad and Kanpur every year to offer jalabhishek to Lord Shiva and seek blessings, and this year authorities have tightened security so that pilgrims face no inconvenience.
The legend of Ravana's thumbprint on the Shivling
The ancient Shiv temple at Gola Gokarannath has long been a centre of devotion, and its origin story is tied to the era of the Ramayana. According to folklore, in the Treta Yuga, Lord Shiva was so pleased with Ravana's penance that he agreed to accompany him, on the condition that wherever he was set down on the ground along the way, he would remain rooted there permanently. Ravana then set off towards Lanka carrying the Shivling. When he reached the vicinity of Gola Gokarannath, he felt the urge to relieve himself. He handed the Shivling to a shepherd, instructing him not to place it on the ground under any circumstance. When Ravana took too long to return, the shepherd, unable to hold it any further, placed the Shivling on the earth. Ravana came back and tried hard to lift it, but it would not budge. Enraged, he pressed it into the ground with his thumb. Believers say the mark of that thumb is still visible on the Shivling today, which is why the temple continues to draw such deep devotion.
Four parking zones, each with toilets and CCTV
To manage the crowds expected during the Sawan fair, the administration has set up four separate parking areas. Vehicles coming from the Lakhimpur side will park near the Reliance petrol pump at Bus Bazar and along the highway bypass near Kothi Bhatt. Vehicles arriving from Aligunj will be accommodated at the Mandi Samiti premises, while those coming via Khutar Road will use the sugar mill's truck yard. To handle any overflow in crowds, additional parking has also been arranged at the Dhirawa Bhatt complex, just before Kanya Devsthan. Every parking site has been equipped with two mobile toilets each, drinking water tankers, lighting and CCTV cameras so that devotees do not face inconvenience. For security purposes, the entire town has been divided into two zones and four sectors.
Extra force on Mondays, drones and a control room keep watch
Crowds swell further on every Monday of Sawan, so an additional four Circle Officers along with extra police personnel have been deployed specifically for those days. Overall, the security deployment for the Sawan period includes four Circle Officers, 15 station in-charges, 56 sub-inspectors, 300 constables and 40 head constables. A company of the PAC, a fire brigade unit and the AP guard have also been stationed. A control room fitted with 32 CC cameras has been set up for surveillance, and drone cameras will keep watch over the area as well. Staff from the health department, the revenue department, the electricity department and the municipal body will remain on duty, alongside two mobile parties and two duty-checking parties patrolling continuously.
Five zones, 20 sectors across the district: additional SP explains
Additional Superintendent of Police (West) Amit Kumar Rai said that security has not been confined to Gola Gokarannath alone. For the safety of devotees visiting Shiv temples across the district, the entire district has been divided into 5 zones, 20 sectors and 63 sub-sectors. Eight Circle Officers have been assigned to oversee this arrangement, while two Additional SPs will also monitor the setup. Officials say these measures are meant to ensure that Shiv devotees face no difficulties throughout the month of Sawan.
