Grand Shravani Mela Begins Amid Tight Security in Jharkhand

Shravani Mela, a significant annual socioreligious event in Jharkhand, started in Deoghar under strict security. State ministers inaugurated the fair, and the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of convenience and hospitality for devotees. The government organized extensive facilities and security measures for the smooth procession of devotees.

Shravani Mela, one of India's largest annual fairs, kicked off in Jharkhand's Deoghar district on Sunday amid heightened security arrangements.

The event was inaugurated by State Agriculture Minister Dipika Pandey Singh and Drinking and Sanitation Department Minister Mithilesh Thakur, who performed rituals at Dumma near the Jharkhand-Bihar border.

The state government has made comprehensive arrangements for this major socio-religious event, which draws over 3.5 million devotees from India and abroad during the holy month of Shravan.

Thousands of devotees embark on a 105-km pilgrimage from Sultanganj, Bihar to Baidyanath Temple in Jharkhand to offer Ganga water to the Jyotirlingam in Deoghar.

On Saturday, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren reviewed the preparations for the fair in Deoghar. He stressed ensuring convenience, security, cleanliness, and hospitality to create a positive experience for the visiting devotees.

Soren instructed that essential facilities such as drinking water, accommodation, toilets, health services, parking, electricity, and information systems be fully operational.

An official from the Deoghar administration confirmed comprehensive arrangements for kanwariyas along the pilgrimage route from Sultanganj to Deoghar.

The state's health department has deployed an adequate number of doctors, health workers, paramedical staff, and ambulances at the fair.

Security measures include CCTV installations at strategic locations and drone cameras for crowd management, according to an official.

(With inputs from agencies.)