Bakrid 2026: Lucknow Shuts Key Routes, Ayodhya Streets Turn Into Prayer Grounds — What Happened Across UP

Last Updated:May 28, 2026, 09:23 IST

Lucknow and Kanpur face major traffic diversions as Bakrid prayers continue on May 28. Ayodhya sees roadside Namaz while Prayagraj remains under drone watch

Bakrid in UP: Authorities across the state have repeatedly appealed for communal harmony, urging residents to celebrate the festival peacefully while cooperating with police and administrative directives.

Bakrid Celebration In Uttar Pradesh: Extensive security arrangements, traffic diversions and surveillance measures were put in place across several districts of Uttar Pradesh ahead of Eid-Ul-Adha celebrations on Thursday, as authorities stepped up monitoring to ensure peaceful observance of the festival.

Police administrations in Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Ayodhya and Farrukhabad intensified preparations with large-scale deployment of security personnel, drone surveillance, route diversions and strict advisories regarding prayers, sacrifices and social media activity.

Lucknow Under Multi-Layered Security Cover

The state capital, Lucknow, witnessed Bakrid celebrations amid heightened security and elaborate crowd-management measures. According to a report in ETV Bharat, the police administration prepared a detailed operational blueprint focusing on major prayer venues including Teele Wali Masjid, Eidgah Aishbagh and Asifi Mosque at Bada Imambara.

To streamline security operations, the city was divided into four zones and five sectors. More than 1,347 police personnel, along with six companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), were deployed across the city. The deployment included 24 senior officers such as ADCPs and ACPs, 50 inspectors, 482 sub-inspectors, 737 constables and head constables, and 54 Home Guards. Teams from the wireless unit and the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) also remained active for continuous monitoring.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Bablu Kumar said CCTV cameras had been installed at strategic locations to monitor suspicious activity in real time. Special attention was also given to women’s safety, with Anti-Romeo Squads, Pink Patrol teams and UP-112 response vehicles directed to conduct regular patrols in crowded and sensitive areas. Women police officers in plain clothes were additionally deployed.

Ahead of the festival, the police conducted route rehearsals and crowd-control mock drills to test preparedness. Authorities stated that all major intersections and prayer sites were being monitored round the clock via CCTV. Cyber and social media monitoring units were also activated to identify and act against rumours, inflammatory content or misleading posts circulating online.

Police officials urged residents not to pay attention to rumours spread through social media and to cooperate with authorities in maintaining communal harmony and law and order. Citizens were also advised to follow traffic diversion plans strictly to avoid inconvenience.

Namaz Timings At Major Mosques In Lucknow

Authorities released the prayer schedule for key mosques in the city:

• Teele Wali Masjid (Sunni community): 9 am
• Eidgah Aishbagh (Sunni community): 10 am
• Asifi Mosque/Bada Imambara (Shia community): 11 am

Special crowd-management measures were planned in the Western Zone, where large congregations were expected during different prayer timings.

Extensive Traffic Diversions Across Lucknow

The Lucknow Traffic Police announced a wide-ranging diversion plan around major Eidgahs and mosques.

Traffic coming from Sitapur Road was not allowed to move towards the concrete bridge near the Daliganj railway crossing. Vehicles were diverted via the Daliganj overbridge towards Niralanagar and IT Crossing.

Vehicles from the Khadra side were restricted from moving towards Teele Wali Masjid via the concrete bridge and instead redirected through Bandha Road or the new bridge route.

Heavy vehicles and city buses approaching from Hardoi Road and Balaganj were barred from moving towards Bada Imambara and Teele Wali Masjid. They were diverted via Koneshwar Crossing, Dainik Chowk and Medical College routes.

Traffic restrictions also remained in place at Ghantaghar, Chowk, Lemon Park, Shahmina Tiraha, Pakka Pul and Rumi Gate areas. Several routes were diverted through Medical College, Koneshwar Crossing, Hanuman Setu, Nadwa Bandha and IT Crossing to prevent congestion near prayer venues.

Commercial and heavy vehicles were not allowed from Everedy Tiraha towards Mill Area and were instead diverted through Mawaiya or Langda Phatak overbridges towards Rajajipuram.

Authorities further stated that only worshippers participating in Namaz would be permitted on certain stretches around Tulsidas Marg, Bulaki Adda and Haiderganj leading towards Eidgah grounds.

Kanpur Imposes Major Diversions For Eidgah Prayers

In Kanpur, the police administration enforced heavy traffic diversions around Badi Eidgah Bajariya to ensure smooth conduct of Bakrid prayers.

The diversions came into effect from 5 am on May 28 and remained operational until prayers concluded. Police appealed to commuters to review the diversion routes before leaving their homes.

Under the revised plan, vehicles from Parade Square and Lal Imli Square were not allowed towards Bajaria via Colonelganj Square and were instead diverted through Shanidev Mandir Tiraha.

Similarly, vehicles from Gol Square and Hallet heading towards Idgah Square through Benajhabar Tiraha were redirected via Chandni Nursing Home Road.

Traffic approaching from Jarib Chowki was not allowed towards Bajaria Chauraha through Rambagh Square and instead moved via Brahmanagar Square. Vehicles from 80 Feet Road were diverted through P Road.

Additional restrictions were imposed at Makartganj slope, Sisamau Square and Lakdamandi Road to prevent congestion near the Eidgah area.

Parking Arrangements And Helpline Numbers In Kanpur

To facilitate worshippers, designated parking zones were created across the city.

Vehicles arriving from Lal Imli Square could park near Shanidev Temple intersection, while devotees coming from Gol Square and Hallet were directed to the Virendra Swaroop Ground parking facility.

People travelling from Jarib Chowki and 80 Feet Road were instructed to park along P Road and 80 Feet Road respectively. Worshippers arriving from Yatimkhana Square were advised to use parking spaces on Lakdamandi Road before Kayasthana Tiraha.

For assistance, the Traffic Control Room helplines — 9305104340 and 9454402413 — were issued for public use. Authorities also appealed to commuters to prioritise ambulances and emergency services during the diversion period.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ravina Tyagi confirmed that emergency vehicles would remain exempt from all diversion restrictions, as reported by Jagran. Citizens could also contact the traffic police helpline at 9454405155 in case of emergencies.

Ayodhya Witnesses Massive Congregation Amid Tight Vigil

Bakrid prayers were offered with large gatherings in Ayodhya, where hundreds of thousands of members of the Muslim community gathered at the Civil Lines Eidgah and other prayer sites across the district.

Authorities stated that prayers were scheduled at around 111 Eidgahs and 211 mosques in the district. Following Namaz, people greeted one another and exchanged Eid wishes before sacrificial rituals began.

Several public representatives also visited Eidgah sites to extend greetings to members of the Muslim community.

The district administration had made extensive arrangements in accordance with directives issued by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister regarding Bakrid prayers. However, despite instructions against offering prayers on roads, large crowds were seen praying on streets near the Eidgah due to the turnout.

Officials remained on high alert throughout the day. Drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring and heavy deployment of security personnel were put in place to oversee the celebrations and maintain order.

Prayagraj Police Issue Strict Advisory On Sacrifice Videos

In Prayagraj, police remained on high alert for Bakrid prayers and sacrificial rituals. Authorities said prayers would be conducted at more than 400 Eidgahs and mosques in the city zone alone.

The main Eidgah prayer was scheduled for 9 am, while prayers at mosques were held at different times throughout the morning.

Police issued strict instructions that prayers should not be conducted on roads and prohibited animals should not be sacrificed. Authorities also warned people against uploading videos or photographs of sacrifices on social media platforms.

According to DCP City Manish Kumar Shandilya, additional security personnel were deployed in sensitive and highly sensitive areas, while drones were being used for surveillance around prayer sites.

Peace committee meetings had already been conducted in all police station areas ahead of the festival. On Wednesday evening, police personnel also carried out a flag march in Khuldabad and Kareli areas as part of security preparations.

Officials warned that any attempt to disturb peace or create disorder during the festival would invite strict action.

Bareilly Cleric Appeals Against Roadside Namaz

In Bareilly, Muslim cleric Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi appealed to the community to avoid introducing new practices during Bakrid celebrations.

He urged worshippers not to offer Namaz on roads and advised mosques to conduct prayers in multiple batches if gatherings became too large.

The cleric also appealed to people not to sacrifice cows or prohibited animals and instructed devotees to dispose of sacrificial remains properly instead of leaving them in public places.

He further requested the community not to record or circulate photographs and videos of sacrifices.

Farrukhabad Administration Bans Namaz On Roads

In Farrukhabad district, the administration imposed strict regulations ahead of Bakrid celebrations. District Magistrate Dr Ankur Lathar directed that Namaz must only be offered inside mosques and Eidgahs and not on public roads.

The administration also issued instructions prohibiting the careless disposal of sacrificial remains during the festival.

According to officials, Namaz was scheduled at 171 mosques and 58 Eidgahs across the district. Peace Committee meetings involving religious leaders were conducted at both district and police-station levels to discuss security arrangements and festival guidelines.

Officials were instructed to ensure proper disposal of remains in designated pits while maintaining uninterrupted water and electricity supply during the celebrations.

Foot March Conducted In Sensitive Areas

To review preparedness, District Magistrate Dr Ankur Lathar and Superintendent of Police Aarti Singh carried out a foot march and ground inspection in the Maudarwaja police station area.

The officials inspected sensitive locations, barricading points and security arrangements along the route leading to the Eidgah. During the inspection, police personnel and administrative staff were instructed to remain alert throughout the festival period.

SP Aarti Singh said adequate police deployment had been ensured across the district and confirmed that social media platforms were under continuous surveillance to prevent circulation of objectionable or misleading content.

Authorities across the state repeatedly appealed for communal harmony, urging residents to celebrate the festival peacefully while cooperating with police and administrative directives.

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