Patna: The Bihar government has made special arrangements for devotees taking part in the Shravani Mela, which begins on 11 July and will continue till 7 August. The Tourism Department will provide facilities like accommodation, drinking water, toilets, electricity, and Kanwar stands to the Kanwariyas walking from Sultanganj to Dumma and from Pahelaja to Baba Garibnath Temple.
A total of 200 beds have been set up in Sultanganj, 600 beds in Abrakha (Banka district), 200 beds in Khaira, and 200 beds in Dhobai (both in Munger). The government has also built large German hanger tent cities. One tent city with a seating capacity of 500 has been constructed at Pahelaja Ghat, and another with a capacity of 1,000 people has been built at RDS College near Baba Garibnath Temple in Muzaffarpur. Smaller tent cities for 200 people each have been made in Goraul, Bithauli, and Turki.
All tent cities will have fans, coolers, chairs, CCTV cameras, security, and medical facilities. Devotional music programmes will be organised for entertainment at Baba Garibnath Temple Tent City. A special toll-free number, 18003037677, has been launched to provide information about the fair and its facilities.
The Tourism Department will also organise Ganga Aarti in Sultanganj and a laser show based on the life of Lord Shiva during the opening and closing of the fair. Free brochures will be given at 12 tourist information centres set up along the route for the convenience of devotees.
