The Bihar government is making comprehensive arrangements to welcome thousands of Sikh devotees for a major religious celebration. State Tourism Minister Arun Shankar Prasad on Monday conducted a detailed review of preparations for the 359th Prakash Parv of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.
Minister Reviews Preparations and Inspects Tent City
During a meeting at the tourism department office in the main secretariat, Minister Prasad assessed plans for tourist facilities, accommodation, and information centres. The focus is on serving congregations expected from across India and abroad. He instructed officials to complete all tasks in a time-bound manner while upholding quality standards.
Following the meeting, the minister personally inspected the tent city under construction at Kangan Ghat in Patna Sahib. He examined arrangements for several essential services:
- Accommodation and food facilities
- Reliable drinking water supply
- Medical facilities and transportation
- The dedicated tourist information centre
Aiming for Global Religious Tourism Recognition
In an official statement, Minister Prasad expressed that hosting the devotees is a privilege for Bihar. He stated the government's objective is for every pilgrim to experience the state's tradition of hospitality, cleanliness, and service. The minister believes the Prakash Parv celebrations will enhance Bihar's cultural prestige and religious tourism profile.
To ensure a seamless experience, Prasad emphasized close coordination among various departments. He mentioned that the state government is working to improve synergy between tourism, transport, art and culture, and urban development departments, keeping devotees' needs at the forefront. These efforts are aimed at firmly establishing Patna Sahib on the global map of religious tourism.
Final Touches on High-Level Facilities
Tourism Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh reported that all necessary preparations by the department are complete. He confirmed that the tent city, equipped with high-level amenities, is in its final stages of completion alongside the tourist information centre.
The review meeting saw the presence of key officials including Tourism Director Udayan Mishra, Joint Director Rajesh Raushan, and Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) General Manager Chandan Chauhan.
