Gaya: With the annual Pitripaksh Mela set to begin on Sept 25, Gaya district administration has stepped up preparations to ensure smooth arrangements for lakhs of pilgrims expected to visit the holy city for pinddaan rituals.District magistrate Shashank Shubhankar on Monday inspected three key pinddaan sites in Bodh Gaya, Dharmaranya, Matangwapi and Saraswati Vedi, and reviewed preparations for the fortnight-long religious event. Earlier in the day, he also held a meeting with public representatives and officials at the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee office.The DM directed officials to ensure adequate drinking water, sanitation, lighting, security and cleanliness at all pinddaan and tarpan sites before the arrival of pilgrims. Magistrates and police personnel will also be deployed at important locations during the mela.During the inspection, Shubhankar reviewed arrangements for basic amenities and instructed officials to complete all pending works well ahead of the festival. He stressed the need to maintain facilities throughout the mela period.As part of the preparations, the district administration has also been asked to repair potholes on major roads and approach roads leading to pilgrimage sites and remove encroachments to facilitate smooth movement of devotees.Officials have further been directed to clean drains, ensure uninterrupted power supply and repair all streetlights in the mela area to eliminate dark spots, particularly on routes frequently used by pilgrims.The administration is intensifying preparations ahead of the arrival of thousands of devotees from across the country for the annual Pitripaksh rituals.
