Patna: Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary, inaugurated the state’s renowned Shravani Mela, marking the beginning of the sacred month-long Kanwar Yatra to Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar. Emphasising a blend of spiritual devotion and modern amenities, the state government has established a large-scale tent city along the Kanwaria path spanning Sultanganj, Munger, and Banka districts.
The newly constructed tent city features essential facilities such as electricity, toilets, fans, coolers, CCTV surveillance, and round-the-clock security. Special bamboo Kanwar stands, health camps, and information centres have also been set up to support the influx of devotees.
“The Shravani Mela is not only a religious event but also a symbol of administrative coordination and public service,” he said during the inauguration held at both Sultanganj (Bhagalpur district) and the Dhori gate in Banka.
Each year, lakhs of devotees fetch holy water from the Uttarvahini Ganga in Sultanganj and trek over 100 kilometres to offer it at the Baba Baidyanath temple—one of the twelve Jyotirlingas—in neighbouring Jharkhand. To ease the journey, express trains are now making brief two-minute halts at Sultanganj station to accommodate the pilgrims.
Efforts have also been made to maintain hygiene and control pricing. Workers have been deployed in three shifts for cleaning, while rate charts and food quality checks are being enforced at shops along the route. A daily Ganga Aarti ceremony and a laser show dedicated to Lord Shiva are planned to enhance the devotional atmosphere.
In Banka, a 600-bed Abarkha Tent City has been equipped with cultural stages, medical services, and upgraded roads with signage. Security measures include drone surveillance, temporary police stations, quick response teams, and lost-and-found centres.
“The state is committed to ensuring that devotees have a safe, comfortable, and spiritually enriching journey,” said Chaudhary, calling the festival a “confluence of devotion, culture, and efficient governance.”
