Gaya: The 16-day Pitra Paksha Mahasangam, a major religious fair held in Gaya, concluded on September 21 after attracting over three million devotees from across India and abroad. Running from September 6, the event is famed as a spiritual hub where pilgrims perform rituals to honour their ancestors.
This year’s fair not only reinforced Gaya’s religious significance but also produced an unprecedented economic impact. Local traders estimate that the total business generated during the event reached Rs 600 crore, including donations, sales of religious items, food, and tourism-related services.
Pramod Kumar Bhadani, Vice President of the Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the high demand for religious items. “This year, food-related business generated approximately Rs 90–100 crore. Sales of religious utensils and items exceeded Rs 100 crore. Including donations, the figure crossed Rs 200 crore,” he said. Brassware in particular saw a surge, with prices ranging from Rs 700 to Rs 900 per kilogram.
The Marwari community continued its traditional generosity, donating Rs 40–50 crore on the fair’s final day alone. Meanwhile, the hotel and tourism sector recorded revenue of around Rs 75 crore, slightly lower than the previous year as many pilgrims opted to stay in traditional Dharamshalas and administrative tent accommodations, according to Sudama Kumar, General Secretary of the Hotel Association.
Transport services also benefited from the influx, with local vehicles, auto-rickshaws, and tour operators generating an estimated Rs 50 lakh. Sales of traditional clothing by the Patwa community exceeded Rs 5 crore. The fair welcomed more than 520 VIPs, including industrialist Mukesh Ambani, government ministers, and 40 foreign pilgrims.
For the first time, authorities used a counting machine to monitor visitor numbers. District Magistrate Shashank Shubankar confirmed that over three million pilgrims arrived, with arrangements made for 75,000 people, including a tent city with 2,500 beds.
Public services were widely expanded during the fair. The Health Department provided free medical care to 125,000 people, while social organisations operated service centres. Around 850,000 pilgrims were offered free auto-rickshaw rides, and 250,000 received holy Ganges water.
Security was tightly managed, with 6,000 police personnel deployed. Senior Superintendent of Police Anand Kumar noted that despite the presence of VIPs, including the President, no significant issues were reported, and the administration received praise for its organisation.
The Pitra Paksha Mahasangam 2025 has been hailed as a historic event, enhancing Gaya’s profile both nationally and internationally. Observers noted that the confluence of devotion, commerce, and civic service contributed to a festival that was both spiritually and economically significant.
