VARANASI/PRAYAGRAJ/MEERUT, July 31 -- The holy month of Sawan began on Thursday with chief minister Yogi Adityanath and thousands of other devotees visiting the Kashi Vishwanath (KV) temple in Varanasi to offer prayers on the first day of Sawan, even as reports of devotee influx came in from cities of Uttar Pradesh where the Ganga flows. While in Varanasi, the CM also visited the Kaal Bhairav temple. "The number of devotees rises sharply during Sawan, especially on Mondays and festival days. Separate entry and exit gates have been earmarked to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims," said Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, KV temple's chief executive officer. Devotees unable to visit the temple can watch live 'darshan' through the temple trust's website, its official YouTube channel and other authorised broadcast platforms. Prayagraj witnessed a massive influx of devotees at the historic Mankameshwar Mahadev Temple in Prayagraj. From the early hours of Thursday, thousands of worshippers gathered at the temple, and offered prayers and performed Jalabhishek. The stretch from the Sangam's Qila Ghat to the Dashashwamedh Ghat on the Ganga was full with Kanwariyas carrying holy water. Additional police personnel have been deployed inside the temple complex and along major Kanwar routes. Barricading, traffic regulation, medical assistance and sanitation arrangements have also been strengthened to ensure the smooth conduct of worship activities throughout the holy month. District magistrate Manish Kumar Verma stated that changing rooms for women have been set up at the ghats. Besides, selfie points have also been created at the ghats, and multiple teams from the water police are stationed in the river near the ghats. A medical team and an ambulance are also present at every ghat. Special traffic arrangements have been implemented in Prayagraj from July 30 to August 28. The left lane of the Prayagraj-Varanasi Highway has been completely closed to vehicular traffic. The entire route is being monitored via drones and CCTV cameras. A close watch is being maintained over 200 food outlets-both large and small-along the Prayagraj-Varanasi route. The Meerut Range Police has rolled out an extensive, technology-driven security plan for the Kanwar Yatra, with pilgrimage routes and major Shiva temples across the range under constant watch of 3,000 IP cameras, thousands of CCTV cameras, 100 drones, 19 watch towers, and 30 monitoring walls, enabling real-time surveillance. Meerut range deputy inspector general (DIG) Kalanidhi Naithani said additional police personnel have been deployed at sensitive locations, while all activities along the yatra routes will be monitored round the clock to ensure prompt response to any security concern. The DIG also issued a stern warning against spreading misinformation on social media. He said misleading videos, rumours, or any posts intended to disturb communal harmony or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage will be treated with utmost seriousness....