Kashi Swells with Tourists Before New Year; Mahakumbh-Style Diversion, Paramilitary Deployed

• Varanasi is experiencing a massive influx of tourists and devotees visiting Baba Vishwanath and Banaras ghats before the New Year.
• A Mahakumbh-style diversion plan has been implemented by Varanasi Police to manage the record-breaking crowds.
• Paramilitary forces are deployed at ghats, and drones monitor security, with social media also being watched for disruptions.
• More than four lakh devotees visit Baba Vishwanath daily, and millions throng the ghats, including Assi, Namo Ghat, and Dashashwamedh.
• Large vehicles are prohibited on key routes until January 4, with expectations of record crowds on New Year's Day despite intense cold.

Why It Matters: Varanasi sees unprecedented pre-New Year crowds, prompting Mahakumbh-style security and traffic measures.