Govt plans tent cities, pilgrim facilities along kanwar route for Shravani Mela

Patna: The state govt is planning to set up tent cities equipped with beds and essential amenities along the pilgrimage route for devotees embarking on pilgrimage journey in the upcoming Shravani Mela in Deoghar, Jharkhand. The temporary facilities will be developed at multiple locations along the kanwariya path, stretching from Baba Ajgaibinath Mandir in Sultanganj to Dumma at the Bihar border. Grand decorative gates and arrangements for cultural programmes are also part of the plan to enhance the pilgrims’ experience.The plans and preparations were reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by tourism secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh on Wednesday. Officials from Bhagalpur, Munger and Banka districts joined the meeting via video conference, where detailed instructions were issued. The annual Shravani Mela is scheduled to commence on July 30 and will continue till Aug 28.Officials concerned have been directed to ensure all basic facilities for devotees, including toilets, bathrooms, clean drinking water, uninterrupted electricity supply, kanwar stands, and information centres. Entertainment arrangements and devotional activities will also be organised to keep pilgrims engaged during their journey. The officials have been asked to prepare a comprehensive action plan at the earliest to ensure smooth execution of the arrangements.According to an official release, efforts are being made to immerse the entire pilgrimage route in a devotional atmosphere. Light and sound shows, fountain shows, laser displays and drone shows will be organised at key locations, depending on feasibility. These events will also be held in major tent cities, including the one at Ajgaibinath in Sultanganj.The tent cities with varying bed capacities will be set up for the first time. These include 500 beds at Sultanganj, 600 beds at Abarkha in Banka, 200 beds at Dhauri, 250 beds at Godiyari, 200 beds at Khaira in Munger, 200 beds at Dhobai, 300 beds at Asarganj, and 200 beds each at Tarapur and Sangrampur. Additionally, 25 Swiss cottages on the lines of Sonepur Mela will be erected in Bhagalpur district, for which land will be provided by the district administration.Food arrangements under the “Jeevika Didi ki Rasoi” initiative will be made available in all tent cities. Cultural programmes will be held throughout the mela period, with national-level artists performing during the inauguration and closing ceremonies. State-level artists will perform every Monday, while district-level artists will take the stage on other days.The meeting was attended by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation managing director Nand Kishore, tourism director-cum-special secretary Udayan Mishra, Jeevika CEO Himanshu Sharma, and other senior officials.