Deoghar (Jharkhand), Jul 29 (PTI) The month-long ‘Shravani Mela’ commenced in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district on Wednesday, officials said.
State Tourism Minister Sudivya Kumar and Rural Development Minister Dipika Pandey Singh inaugurated the renowned fair amid Vedic rituals at Kanwariya Path in Dumma, bordering Bihar.
Lakhs of devotees from various parts of the country and abroad visit Deoghar during the ‘Shravan’ month of the Hindu calendar and offer prayers at the revered Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple. They also pay obeisance at Baba Basukinath Dham in Dumka.
“The month-long Shravani Mela has begun today. We warmly welcome all the devotees. On behalf of the Deoghar administration and the people of Jharkhand, we assure them that every effort has been made to provide the best arrangements for the devotees so that when they leave, they carry with them pleasant memories of Jharkhand in their hearts,” Kumar said.
Shravani Mela is not just a grand festival of faith, but is also one of service and dedication. The state government is working continuously to ensure safety, cleanliness and better arrangements for the devotees so that this year’s fair is more organised and magnificent than previous years, Singh said.
Tight security arrangements have been made for the devotees. AI-based drones, face recognition cameras and over 11,500 police personnel have been deployed, a senior officer said.
The fair, which is likely to witness the footfall of 35-40 lakh people, will conclude on August 28.
“We have set up 100 outposts in and around Deoghar city. Thousands of CCTV cameras have been installed. AI-based drone surveillance will be used to strengthen aerial security. AI-based face recognition cameras have also been installed in and around the temple,” Deoghar Superintendent of Police Praveen Pushkar said.
He said more than 1,200 security personnel have been deployed in and around the Baba Baidyanath Dham Temple.
“We are ensuring hi-tech security arrangements through AI-integrated equipment. An AI-based integrated control room has been set up for the fair. A chatbot for information, feedback and helpline has been operationalised, an AI-based Traffic Management System is in place, and high-Quality ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras have been installed at various locations,” he said.
Central Reserve Police Force, and Jharkhand Jaguar and its bomb detection and disposal squad have been deployed, he said.
Besides, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed at the Shivganga Pond, the SP added. PTI RPS RPS ACD
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