Gaya, October 5 (Daily Kiran) : A remarkable surge of faith was observed in Gaya, Bihar, on October 5, as the city welcomed over 456,000 devotees during the Pitripaksha festival. This event, celebrated on the tenth day of the festival, draws visitors from across the nation and beyond to sacred sites such as Pretsila, Ramshila, Sitakund, Devghat, and the Vishnupad Temple.
Since the beginning of the Pitripaksha fair, the total number of devotees arriving in Gaya has reached approximately 3.75 million. In response to the increasing crowd, local authorities have prioritized safety, ease of access, cleanliness, and medical arrangements.
Due to an unexpected surge in attendees during a laser show at Devghat on Sunday evening, the event was suspended until further notice to ensure public safety. The Water Resources Department had issued alerts regarding crowd pressure on the foot-over bridge, prompting the Gaya Municipal Corporation to take action.
On Monday, District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar inspected the Vishnupad Temple and surrounding fair areas. He evaluated the temple’s outer premises, sanctum, exit gates, ghats, cremation sites, and medical facilities. Shubhankar emphasized the importance of ensuring safe and smooth access for the devotees.
During the inspection, a senior female devotee from Madhya Pradesh became uncomfortable due to the crowd. The District Magistrate personally assisted her, providing support and ensuring she was seated in a safe area while a medical team checked on her health.
He instructed officials to pay special attention to elderly, women, and vulnerable devotees, ensuring they are safely guided to exit points after their rituals. Measures were also put in place to prevent overcrowding and slipping incidents.
The District Magistrate directed regular cleaning of all sacred sites and continuous sanitation efforts in the ghats and river areas. He also mandated the removal of offerings from the river using nets to maintain its cleanliness while respecting religious practices. Continuous monitoring of the fair area through CCTV and prompt responses to complaints were also established.
While inspecting the VIP parking near the cremation grounds, Shubhankar ordered the prevention of unnecessary vehicle congestion and directed vehicles to designated parking areas.
Statistics from the fair indicate that on Monday alone, 11,349 pilgrims received medical assistance, raising the total to 112,049. The lost-and-found service successfully reunited 134 individuals with their families, contributing to a total of 852 reunions thus far.
In the tent city at Gandhi Maidan, 1,158 individuals were accommodated on Monday, with a cumulative total of 11,378. The distribution of Ganga water packets reached 6,750 for the day, totaling 46,911 packets so far. Additionally, 1,234 wristbands were issued for the safety of children and elderly, bringing the total to 10,619.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to providing a safe, accessible, and respectful environment for every pilgrim visiting from across the country and abroad.
Leave a Comment