To make the visit memorable for the pilgrims of Shravani Mela, Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) has made arrangements to gift pilgrims a special memento, whoever purchases a pack of branded ‘Prasad’ from the counters raised by them in Deoghar. Officials of JTDC, while talking to the media persons said that 12 ambulances will also be deputed round the clock along the Kanwaria Path in Jharkhand.
“Acting on the lines of Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu, we will also distribute a special memento in the form of a coin made of German Silver among the pilgrims whoever purchases a pack of branded prasad from the JTDC counters set up in Deoghar,” said Tourism Director Suchitra Sinha.
The pack of prasad will have 250 grams of ‘Sudha Pera’ which could be purchased from any of the counters after paying Rs 80 per pack, while the memento will be given free of cost along with the pack, she added. The Director further added that bus service for the pilgrims will also be made operational from Ranchi to Deoghar for the first time.
“Rs 3000 will be charged per head for the bus service which also includes VIP Darshan, light and sound show and sight scene visit of all the tourist places in Deoghar,” said Sinha. To make the trip comfortable for the pilgrims, four Volvo buses have been brought in for the purpose, added Sinha.
First bus for Deoghar will be flagged off in Ranchi on July 31 which will be continued for the whole month.
The JTDC officials claimed that half an hour light and sound show, involving the latest technology is also being organized in Deoghar which is said to be the second best in the Country after Akshardham temple in Ahmedabad.
The JTDC for the first time has also arranged 12 ambulances for this Shravani Mela, which is to be deputed round the clock along Kanwari Path in Jharkhand.
“These 12 Ambulances will also have drinking water along with a team of doctors in them, which will be made available for the pilgrims during the hour of need,” said JTDC Managing Director Sunil Kumar.
Four ‘Kanwaria Suvidha Kenda’ (Kanwaria Facilitation Centers) have also been set up on the Kanwaria Path having all kind of facilities available for the pilgrim.
“These Kanwaria Suvidha Kenda will have all kinds of facilities in them including internet, mobile charging, phone, food stall, toilets, first aid and drinking water,” said Kumar.
In addition to that, eight welcome kiosks have also been set up at the railway stations and airports in Ranchi, Dumka and Basukinath while ‘shiv-dhun’ will be played everywhere round the clock in Doeghar.
A tourist helpline number—0651-2332226, having four different lines for it, has also been released by the JTDC where the pilgrims can get assistance of the tourism officials available 24 hours on these numbers. “leaflets and brochures will also be distributed among the pilgrims having all information related to the tourist spots in Ranchi and Dumka,” said the MD.
According to an official data, around 40-45 lakh people visited Deoghar during the Shravani Mela last year while the JTDC officials expect a rise of 15 per cent, making the count to over 50 lakh.