Patna: Bihar Tourism Department will introduce Swiss-style cottages for the first time at the Shravani Mela this year, alongside expanded tent city arrangements and women-led community kitchens, officials said.
The annual pilgrimage fair is scheduled from July 30 to August 28, with preparations underway across key routes in eastern Bihar.
Swiss-Style Accommodation Planned
Officials said Swiss cottages, similar to those used during the Sonepur Mela, will be constructed for pilgrims and tourists. These units will be manufactured in Bhagalpur.
The cottages will be part of a wider effort to improve accommodation facilities along the pilgrimage route stretching from Baba Ajgaibinath Temple in Sultanganj to Dumma on the Bihar border.
Tent Cities Across Multiple Districts
More than six tent cities are planned across different locations, including Sultanganj, Banka, Munger and adjoining areas.
The proposed capacities include 500 beds in Sultanganj, 600 in Abrakha (Banka), 200 in Dhauri, 250 in Godiyari, 200 in Khaira (Munger), and 200 in Dhobai. Additional facilities are planned in Asarganj, Tarapur and Sangrampur with 300, 200 and 200 beds respectively.
Officials said arrangements have been made to ensure accommodation, sanitation, bathing facilities, clean drinking water, uninterrupted electricity supply, and kanwar stands for kanwariyas.
‘Jivika Didi Ki Rasoi’ to Be Introduced
For the first time, ‘Jivika Didi Ki Rasoi’—community kitchens run by women from Jivika self-help groups—will operate within tent cities. The initiative is aimed at providing affordable meals to pilgrims while supporting women’s livelihood opportunities.
Cultural Programming and Management Plan
The Tourism Department has also planned cultural programmes across all tent cities during the mela period. National-level artists will perform at the inauguration and closing ceremonies.
State-level artists will perform every Monday, while district-level artists will present shows on other days, officials said.
The department has issued directives to ensure coordinated arrangements for crowd management, safety, and essential services throughout the festival period.
