Patna : The Gaya Pitru Paksha Mela has recorded its highest-ever pilgrim footfall, with more than 37.5 lakh devotees, pilgrims and visitors reaching Gaya so far to perform pind daan and tarpan for their ancestors.
According to the Tourism Department, 37,50,200 pilgrims have visited Gaya during this year’s Pitru Paksha Mela. The figure has surpassed the total visitor count recorded during the previous year.
The visitors include pilgrims from different parts of India as well as foreign nationals from Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil and Ukraine.
Another group of around 30 to 40 pilgrims from South Africa and other countries is expected to reach Gaya on October 8 to perform pind daan.
Pilgrim Footfall Rises Every Year
The number of visitors to Gaya has increased significantly over the past few years.
In 2022, around 9.4 lakh tourists visited Gaya, including 1,518 foreign tourists. The number increased to 29.89 lakh in 2023, when around 82,000 foreign visitors were recorded.
In 2024, Gaya received 30.59 lakh tourists, including around 1.55 lakh foreign visitors. Last year, in 2025, the total number rose to 34.79 lakh, including 1,807 foreign tourists.
The latest figure of 37,50,200 visitors has exceeded the 2025 total, making this year’s mela the largest in terms of reported footfall.
AI Translation Helps Foreign Pilgrims
To make the mela more accessible to visitors speaking different languages, an AI-based language translation facility has been made available this year.
The Tourism Department said 84,756 pilgrims have used the facility so far.
The service has particularly helped foreign pilgrims communicate and access information during their visit.
482 Saplings Planted At Pitrivatika
The Pitru Paksha Mela has also incorporated an environmental initiative titled ‘One Tree In The Name Of Ancestors’.
Under the initiative, 482 saplings have been planted at Pitrivatika so far.
The initiative seeks to connect the religious gathering with environmental conservation by encouraging visitors to associate tree plantation with remembrance of their ancestors.
11,378 People Stay At Tent City
A tent city has been established to provide accommodation for pilgrims and visitors arriving from distant parts of the country.
So far, 11,378 people have stayed at the tent city, according to the available figures.
The facility is intended to provide temporary accommodation during the period of the annual religious gathering.
Over 10,000 Wristbands Distributed
With large crowds visiting Gaya during Pitru Paksha, authorities have also taken measures to assist families in locating children and elderly people who may become separated.
A total of 10,619 wristbands have been distributed so far for this purpose.
A dedicated control room has also been operating to receive complaints and assist visitors during the mela.
According to the Tourism Department, 1,857 complaints have been received so far, and necessary action has been taken on them.
The record footfall this year, along with the participation of foreign pilgrims and the introduction of facilities such as AI translation, reflects the growing scale of Gaya’s Pitru Paksha Mela as a major religious and tourism event.
