Pitripaksh Mela: Gaya administration set to improve accommodation facilities

GAYA: With huge turnout of pilgrims expected after a gap of two years during the fortnight-long Pitripaksh Mela starting from September 9 in Gaya, the district administration has decided to double up the accommodation arrangements for them. Due to the Covid -19 pandemic, the annual fair was not organised in 2020 and 2021. Hence, more rush of pilgrims is expected this year.
“Every year, 51 accommodation places are identified for the pilgrims.But this year huge rush is expected. Therefore, 100 more places would be identified for the accommodation purpose,” said DM Thiyagarajan SM while addressing a meeting to review preparations for the mela, on Wednesday.
The DM asked district education officer to ensure that the government schools, which would be identified to provide accommodation to the pilgrims, are tagged with a nearby school so that studies of students do not get affected.
“Physical verification of all the identified places, apart from private houses, dharamshalas and guest houses, would be done by the teams constituted by the ADM, to ensure availability of water, power and toilet at such places. Also, the rent of private accommodation places should be fixed so that the pilgrims do not have to pay more,” the DM said.
He said, “Traffic arrangements happen to be a big challenge during the Pitripaksh Mela. Hence, a traffic plan should be prepared with details, identifying the routes for one way traffic and 'no entry zone’.” Besides, he asked officials to conduct physical verification of the parking places to ensure availability of drinking water, power and toilet. Makeshift camps should also be made at each parking place for stay of drivers, he added.
A large number of pilgrims from across the country arrive in Gaya throughout the year during Pitripaksh to perform 'pinddaan' rituals for salvation of departed souls of their ancestors.