Heavy security cordons ringed the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex on Friday as thousands of Hindu devotees performed puja to mark Basant Panchami, while a smaller group of Muslim worshippers offered namaz at separate locations inside the sprawling heritage site in Dhar district, officials said. The day passed without reported clashes, with authorities enforcing staggered access, time-bound rituals and clear physical separation to prevent flashpoints at the long-disputed monument.Police deployments were drawn from district units and armed reserves, with barricades channeling footfall, surveillance cameras trained on approach roads and drone monitoring used to assess crowd density. Entry passes were issued in advance to manage numbers, and additional medical teams were stationed nearby. Senior administrators maintained a visible presence throughout the day, coordinating with religious representatives to ensure compliance with court-mandated protocols governing use of the site.
Basant Panchami, associated with the worship of Saraswati, has historically drawn large gatherings to the complex, which houses archaeological remains revered by Hindus and a mosque structure venerated by Muslims. The site’s layered history has placed it at the centre of litigation and public debate for decades, prompting judicially supervised arrangements for prayer days that seek to balance competing claims while preserving public order.
Officials said Hindu devotees began arriving before dawn, performing rituals within the time window allotted for the festival. Separately, Muslim worshippers offered Friday prayers at designated areas, with timings adjusted to avoid overlap. Loudspeakers were restricted, processions were barred and movement between zones was tightly controlled. Volunteers from both communities assisted security personnel by guiding worshippers and discouraging crowding near sensitive points.
The arrangements follow a series of legal orders that regulate religious activity at the monument pending the outcome of cases examining its origin and historical use. Archaeological surveys and submissions to courts have been closely watched, adding to the sensitivities around festival days. Administrators stressed that the operational focus was safety rather than adjudication, and that adherence to existing directions was essential to avoid escalation.
Local traders reported brisk but orderly business in surrounding markets as visitors arrived from across the district. Transport authorities rerouted traffic away from the immediate vicinity to reduce congestion, while temporary parking zones were created on the outskirts. Schools in the immediate area adjusted schedules to minimise disruption, and hospitals were placed on alert as a precaution.
Community leaders urged restraint and cooperation ahead of the observances, emphasising that faith practices could be carried out peacefully within the prescribed framework. Several religious groups issued advisories asking devotees to respect time limits and security checks. Police said cooperation on the ground helped keep queues moving and prevented bottlenecks at entry points.
The Dhar administration has, over time, refined its crowd-management playbook for the site, learning from previous festivals and court-directed trial runs. Measures such as colour-coded passes, single-direction entry and exit, and real-time monitoring have reduced friction, officials said. Any violations, including unauthorised gatherings or attempts to cross restricted zones, were dealt with promptly to deter copycat actions.