Due to special motivation efforts of the “Raval’’ Bhimashankar lingam, a large number of devotees from south India have come to attend the portal-opening ceremony at the dham. The devotees have also come from Maharashtra and West Bengal, sources at biometric registration said, adding that so far no foreigner had been registered.
The Gaurikund market came alive for the first time since the 2013 flash floods had devastated the area. The small road-side eateries mainly selling tea, snacks, meals and religious materials were found crammed with devotees. The locals sounded confident that the pilgrimage this year would receive a good response. There were medical camps and doctors at major points, including Bhimbali and lincholi. There were medicines and oxygen cylinders available but there was no supply of ORS and Glucose, which are usually needed for treating travel sickness and exhaustion.