Patna: Patna City is set to witness heightened religious fervour and sweeping traffic restrictions as it prepares for the 359th Prakashotsav (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, the tenth Sikh Guru. With lakhs of devotees expected to converge on Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, the district administration has announced a comprehensive traffic management plan spanning December 25 to 28, 2025.
To ease congestion during the Prabhat Pheri, Nagar Kirtan and Kirtan Darbar, the entry of heavy vehicles into Patna City will be strictly regulated. From the night of December 24 until the night of December 28, the movement of all heavy goods vehicles — including trucks and tractors carrying construction materials such as cement, sand, rods and gravel — will be completely prohibited within the Patna City area. Heavy vehicles approaching from the Didarganj side will not be allowed on Ashok Rajpath and will instead be diverted via the New Bypass.
The celebrations will begin in the early hours of December 25, when the traditional Prabhat Pheri departs from Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib at 4 am. Led by a band, illuminated tableaux and the Panj Pyaras, the procession will pass through Chamdoria, Hajiganj, Morcha Road, Patna Sahib Station, Chowk Shikarpur, Mangal Talab, Nayi Sadak (Guru Gobind Singh Path), Shaheed Chowk and Sabzi Bazaar, before returning to Takht Sahib around 8.30 am.
On December 26, following the Diwan at Gurdwara Gaighat, the Nagar Kirtan will commence at 1 pm. The procession is expected to draw large crowds, with participation from Gatka troupes, schoolchildren, Shabad Jathas, volunteer groups, and decorated elephants, horses and camels. In view of this, Ashok Rajpath will be completely closed to all vehicular traffic from Gaighat to Didarganj between 4 am and midnight.
Further restrictions will be in place from 4 am on December 25 until 6 am on December 27, when auto-rickshaws and small commercial vehicles will not be allowed to operate on Ashok Rajpath between Gaighat and Purab Darwaza. These vehicles will be diverted through alternative routes including Danka Imli, Nawab Bahadur Road, Sudarshan Path, Tulsi Mandi and the Agamkuan railway overbridge.
To ensure smooth movement and emergency access, police personnel will be deployed in three shifts at key junctions such as Chowk Shikarpur ROB, Purab Darwaza, Didarganj check post, Gayghat Chowk and Paschim Darwaza, as well as at the main entrance of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib. Mobile patrol teams will monitor the New Bypass and adjoining routes round the clock.
Dedicated parking facilities for devotees have been earmarked at the Bazaar Samiti ground in Didarganj, Mangal Talab and Kangan Ghat in the Chowk police station area. Emergency routes have also been designated, with access to PMCH via Kangan Ghat and JP Ganga Path, and to NMCH through the Gayghat–Danka Imli corridor.
Officials said the measures were aimed at ensuring the safety of pilgrims and residents while allowing the religious celebrations to proceed without disruption.
