Biharsharif: The district administration in Biharsharif has announced large-scale preparations for the Purushottam Mass Fair, which will begin in Rajgir on May 17. This year, officials say the event will be managed on the lines of famous pilgrimage centres such as Tirupati Balaji Temple and Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. Several new systems have been introduced for the first time, including zig-zag barricades, emergency corridors, holding areas and advanced medical arrangements, in an effort to manage the expected rush of devotees safely.
District magistrate Kundan Kumar said the new zig-zag barricading has been designed to control the movement of people near the sacred kund, where thousands gather for holy bathing. The barricades will slow the flow of pilgrims and prevent overcrowding near the main bathing area. Officials said this arrangement has been made especially for major ritual days, including the Shahi Snan, when crowd numbers are expected to rise sharply. Separate routes have also been arranged for saints and sadhus from different akhadas, allowing religious processions to move smoothly without mixing with the general crowd.
To strengthen safety, the administration has divided the fair area into red corridors, buffer zones and holding zones. The red corridor will remain reserved only for ambulances, fire services, police vehicles and quick response teams. Authorities said this route will ensure emergency vehicles can move quickly in case of any accident or medical emergency. Medical camps, first-aid centres and ambulances will remain available round the clock, while trained disaster volunteers and quick response teams have been stationed throughout the fairground to provide immediate assistance.
Special waiting areas have also been created for devotees, with tents, German hangars, drinking water, toilets and seating arrangements. Large LED screens will display live aarti, important announcements and bathing schedules while people wait. In a first for the event, wheelchair services will be available for differently-abled devotees, and exhaust fans have been installed to reduce heat near the kund area. Officials said mobile communication units will help maintain network connectivity for visitors, while oxygen monitoring machines inside the Brahmakund complex will track air quality. The administration has urged all devotees to follow safety rules and cooperate with officials to ensure the fair is peaceful and secure.
