The Junagadh district administration has geared up for the five-day ‘Girnar Parikrama’ festival beginning on October 29.

Sources said some people have already arrived, a week before the event. Every year, around 10 lakh devotees take part in the five-day event. Sadhus in Junagadh are unhappy with some of the sanctions notified by the district administration.

The sadhus have said such sanctions will put devotees in trouble. According to Mahant Gopalanand, the president of Sadhu Samaj, the devotees will not be able to prepare food on their own. The notification also prohibits the use of loudspeakers in the area. “The administration intends to stop holding of the festival. We oppose the move and have submitted our protest letter to the collector,” said Mahant.

The authorities have issued various notifications and asked people not to use only the prescribed route. Only a few organisations have been given permission to run anna kshetra (food for visitors). Restrictions have also been imposed on the entry of vehicles, use of firewood, sale of tobacco and playing of musical instruments. The violation of these will be punishable under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.