The Bihar government is planning to establish tent cities equipped with beds and essential amenities along the pilgrimage route for devotees undertaking the Shravani Mela in Deoghar, Jharkhand. These temporary facilities will be set up at multiple locations along the kanwariya path, stretching from Baba Ajgaibinath Mandir in Sultanganj to Dumma at the Bihar border. The initiative also includes grand decorative gates and cultural program arrangements to enhance the pilgrims' experience.
High-Level Meeting Reviews Preparations
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 participated via video conference, where detailed instructions were issued. The annual Shravani Mela is scheduled to commence on July 30 and continue until August 28.
Basic Facilities and Entertainment
Officials have been directed to ensure all basic facilities for devotees, including toilets, bathrooms, clean drinking water, uninterrupted electricity supply, kanwar stands, and information centers. Entertainment arrangements and devotional activities will also be organized to keep pilgrims engaged during their journey. A comprehensive action plan is to be prepared at the earliest for smooth execution.
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 organized at key locations, depending on feasibility. These events will also be held in major tent cities, including the one at Ajgaibinath in Sultanganj.
Tent Cities with Varying Bed Capacities
For the first time, tent cities with varying bed capacities will be set up. 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, with land provided by the district administration.
Food and Cultural Programs
Food arrangements under the “Jeevika Didi ki Rasoi” initiative will be made available in all tent cities. Cultural programs 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.
