Gaya: Ensuring a safe, comfortable and hassle-free pilgrimage for devotees remains the district administration’s top priority during Pitripaksh, Gaya DM Shashank Shubhankar tells Alok Kumar in an interview. Excerpts:What is the significance of Pitripaksh Mahasangam for Gaya?Pitripaksh is a very sacred occasion, marked by religious belief and devotion towards departed family members, whether one had the opportunity to see them in their lifetime or not. Gaya occupies a special place in this tradition, and the large number of devotees arriving here reflects the faith and emotional bond associated with the rituals of pind daan, tarpan and shraadh.What does Pitripaksh mean for the district administration?The Pitripaksh Mela is not merely a large religious gathering. It is also an occasion when people from different parts of the country come together in Gaya to remember their ancestors and perform rituals for their salvation and peace. Our responsibility is to ensure that devotees are able to undertake this sacred journey with minimum inconvenience and in a safe and orderly environment.What initiatives have been taken this year to improve the pilgrimage experience?Several initiatives have been taken this year with the convenience and safety of devotees in mind. We have also tried to make the pilgrimage more meaningful by helping visitors understand the religious and historical significance of Gaya Ji and pind daan.How are you using visual communication to explain the significance of pind daan?One important initiative is the depiction of murals on walls in and around the Vishnupad area. These murals seek to present aspects of the tradition and significance of pind daan in an easily accessible visual form.What arrangements have been made to help children and elderly devotees who may get separated from their families?We have introduced QR-code-enabled wristbands for children and elderly devotees. During Pitripaksh, huge crowds can sometimes result in children or elderly members becoming separated from their families. The wristband will carry the name and contact details of the family head. In case someone gets separated, the information available through the QR code can help the administration trace the person and reunite them with their family.How is the administration addressing the language barrier faced by pilgrims from outside Bihar?An AI-enabled Google Translator facility at ‘May I Help You’ counters has been introduced to provide multilingual assistance to visitors who do not speak or understand Hindi.What digital facilities have been introduced for pilgrims?A dedicated ‘Pind Daan Gaya Ji’ website and ‘Pind Daan Gaya Ji’ mobile app have been developed to provide official information about pind daan vedis, accommodation, transport, traffic, health and emergency services on a single platform.What more do you feel needs to be done?Both the state and union govts are focused on improving facilities for devotees in Gaya Ji and Bodh Gaya. Under the Vishnupad Corridor project, several works are planned. The state cabinet has approved a scheme to ensure year-round water in the Falgu by connecting it with the Sone river. The Gaya Ji Dam is already ensuring water availability throughout the year.Ropeways at Pretshila and Brahmayoni hills are also under construction. At Pretshila, devotees currently climb around 676 steps to perform pind daan. The ropeways will make access easier and reduce the physical strain on pilgrims.
