NEW DELHI: Security has been beefed up by Delhi Police at more than dozen temples across Delhi and NCR ahead of the Janmashtami celebrations on Sunday. Elaborate security and traffic arrangements have been made in the Capital and major temples where Janmashtami will be celebrated have been put under electronic surveillance.

According to the police, special security arrangements have been made around the Gauri Shankar Temple in Chandni Chowk, the Lakshmi Narayan Temple and the Hanuman Temple in central Delhi, the Iskcon Temple and Chhatarpur Temple in south Delhi.

Rajan Bhagat, Delhi Police spokesperson, said: “Security has been increased after due consultation with the temple authorities. Door frame metal detectors and CCTVs have been installed at many temples.”

“Besides Delhi Police, several volunteers have been roped in to keep a watch of the temple premises during the festival,” he added.

On Tuesday, the Delhi government secretariat had received a letter threatening terror strikes on temples by Kashmiri militants on Janmashtami. “Though the letter bears a postage stamp, it is not clear from where it was sent. It has been forwarded to the home department,” said an official.

“We have increased the security this year and have asked for 3,000 police staff, including women cops, for keeping round the clock vigil on Janmashtami,” said V K Mishra, administrator-in-charge of the Birla Mandir. The temple authorities have also installed 16 CCTV cameras and two metal detectors to keep a close watch on visitors.

At the Iskcon temple in south Delhi, which attracts large number of devotees on Janmashtami, several watch towers have been erected to monitor the movement of devotees. “Since large number of devotees come to the temple on the festival, five separate entry points have been made to manage the rush. For security reasons, no one will be allowed to carry any bag, camera or mobile phone inside the temple premises,” said Bhajan Niranjan Das, communication in-charge of the temple.