Mhow: The four-day-long Vasantotsav started with a grand yagya at Bhojshala in Dhar on Sunday.Thousands of devotees thronged the disputed archaeological site of Bhojshala to worship Waghdevi (Goddess Saraswati).Since 6:30 am, people of all age groups started reaching Bhojshala. The site was crowded until 6:45pm. The devotees put their offerings in hawan kund located in the centre of the monument. Thereafter, they offered floral tributes and prayed at the place, which is considered sanctum sanctorum of the monument.A religious procession was also taken out from Lalbagh. Children dressed in yellow and riding elephants, camels, horses took part in the procession. Several chariots were also decorated for the occasion. After passing through prominent places of the town, the procession reached Bhojshala.Seer Paramhans Avdheshpuri Maharaj addressed a ‘dharma sabha’ organised outside Bhojshala.Heavy security arrangements were made in and around Bhojshala, while Kamal Moulana dargah and other structures were covered with tarpaulin and steel sheets by district administration. Police personnel were deployed at all sensitive areas of the town.In the next three days of the festival, various competitions will be organised for devotees. Also, a ‘bhajan sandhya’ and a poetry convention will be held outside the archaeological site.As per guidelines of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Hindus are allowed to worship at the site on every Tuesday, while Muslims are allowed to offer Namaz on Fridays. On the occasion of Basant Panchmi, the site is made open for Hindus from dawn to dusk.Dhar SP Virendra Singh said that many police officers were called in from across the district to avoid any untoward incident.

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