1,900 Personnel to Be Deployed Across 392 Locations for Security and Law & Order, Special Deployment of Women Force Also Arranged
Preparations for the sacred Shravani Mela are now reaching their final stages at Baba Garibnath Dham in Muzaffarpur, which is famous as a renowned pilgrimage site in Bihar and North Bihar's largest pilgrimage center after Deoghar. Every year during the month of Sawan, lakhs of Kanwarias and Shiva devotees from every corner of the country arrive to offer holy water (Jalabhishek) to Baba Garibnath. The district administration has become fully alert to control the massive crowds of devotees, ensure their safety, and maintain a smooth traffic system in the city.
In this sequence, the District Magistrate (DM) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Muzaffarpur have jointly issued a strict and comprehensive joint order for the maintenance of law and order. Under this order, the entire fairground has been divided into multiple sectors, where a total of 1,900 police personnel and officers will be deployed across 392 sensitive locations. Additionally, keeping in mind the safety and convenience of women devotees, a special deployment of women police personnel has also been made in each sector. Let us analyze in detail the ongoing preparations for the Shravani Mela at Baba Garibnath Dham, the administrative strategies, and the various facets of the security arrangements.
Shravani Mela 2026: Mahakumbh of Faith and Administrative Challenges
During the month of Sawan, the entire environment of Muzaffarpur city takes on a devotional hue dedicated to Lord Shiva. A continuous stream of Dak Bum and Kanwarias bringing Ganges water from Sultanganj and other ghats continues throughout the month.
Arrival of Lakhs of Devotees: Every year in Sawan, a massive number of devotees, not only from Bihar but also from neighboring states and Nepal, come to pay their respects at the court of Baba Garibnath. Due to the congregation of such a large crowd, maintaining law and order and dealing with situations like stampedes is the biggest challenge for the administration.
Time-Bound Preparations: This time, even before the fair commences, the administration has taken up the responsibility to foolproof all arrangements. Sanitation, lighting arrangements, drinking water, and the establishment of health camps from the temple premises to the Kanwaria route are in their final stages.
Joint Order by DM and SSP: A Strict Security Blueprint
To prevent any untravel incident during the fair and to ensure that Jalabhishek is completed peacefully, the district administration has formulated a strategy at the highest level.
Key Highlights of the Joint Order: According to the joint order issued by the DM and SSP, the fair area has been divided into multiple zones and sectors. Magistrates and police officers have been deputed in every sector to monitor round-the-clock.
Intelligence and Vigil on Every Corner: To curb anti-social elements, pickpockets, and petty thieves, police personnel will also be deployed in plain clothes. Apart from this, continuous monitoring of the entire fairground will be conducted from the control room through CCTV cameras.
Deployment of 1,900 Personnel Across 392 Locations and the Role of Women Force
To make the security arrangement impregnable, a massive police force is being deployed in the field so that any emergency situation can be tackled immediately.
Comprehensive Deployment: According to the issued plan, a total of 1,900 police personnel and officers have been assigned duties across 392 identified locations, ranging from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to main roads, entry gates, and long queue routes.
Prioritizing Women's Safety: A very large proportion of devotees visiting the Shravani Mela comprises women and young girls. Keeping this in consideration, special deployment of women police personnel has been made in every major area and queue, ensuring that women do not face any inconvenience and can perform Jalarpan safely.
Traffic Management and Barricading Arrangements
To control the crowd, a plan for vehicle entry restrictions and route diversions within the city has been prepared.
No-Vehicle Zone: Main roads around the temple will be declared no-vehicle zones during Sawan so that pedestrians and Kanwarias do not face any trouble.
Barricading and Holding Areas: Strong barricading has been set up to keep long queues organized, and holding areas have been created at various points to regulate devotees when crowds swell.
The preparations for the Shravani Mela at Baba Garibnath Dham are proof that the district administration is completely earnest about the service and safety of Shiva devotees. The joint order issued by the DM and SSP, the deployment of 1,900 personnel across 392 locations, and the specific presence of women police forces ensure that this year's Shravani Mela will be concluded in a highly peaceful, disciplined, and safe manner. While these robust arrangements by the administration will maintain an atmosphere of security, Shiva devotees arriving from across the country and abroad will be able to worship Baba Garibnath without any fear or obstruction.
