Gaya: District magistrate Shashank Shubhankar drew attention on Thursday after climbing the 676 steep stairs of Pretshila to review arrangements at the ongoing Pitru Paksha Mela in Gayaji, Bihar. His visit underscored the administration’s focus on ensuring smooth passage for pilgrims performing the traditional pind daan rituals.
The Pretshila Pindvedi, known for its arduous ascent, is usually reached by pilgrims using dolis due to the steep climb. Shubhankar, however, chose to make the climb on foot, inspecting crowd flow and instructing officials to manage queues so that pilgrims ascending and descending faced no difficulty.
The mela, considered one of the most sacred gatherings in Hindu tradition, has already drawn more than 11 lakh pilgrims by September 11, the fifth day of the fortnight-long shraddha. Authorities estimate that over 20 lakh people, including visitors from abroad, will arrive in Gayaji this year to perform ancestral rites.
Local devotees praised the DM’s proactive approach, saying his presence on the ground boosted confidence in the administration’s readiness. Officials said special emphasis is being laid on crowd control, safety and facilities for elderly pilgrims.
