Grand Commencement of the World-Famous Shravani Mela; Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary Reached Sultanganj by Road and Formally Inaugurated the Mela, Influx of 'Bol Bam' Chants Echoes in Ajgainath Dham at Precisely 3:42 PM
Bhagalpur, Special Correspondent: The formal and grand inauguration of the Shravani Mela, ranking among the largest religious fairs globally along the banks of the northward-flowing Ganges at the historic and religious site of Sultanganj (Ajgainath Dham) in Silk City Bhagalpur, has concluded. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary arrived in Sultanganj amidst tight security arrangements and a grand ceremony to formally inaugurate this month-long fair. Notably, the Chief Minister traveled by road from Munger to reach the Namami Gange Ghat in Sultanganj as per schedule. According to the pre-determined minute-to-minute program set by the administration, the official announcement for the inauguration of the Shravani Mela was made precisely at 3:42 PM. During this, the entire mela zone resonated with divine energy, and the banks of the Ganges echoed with chants of 'Bol Bam' and 'Har Har Mahadev' raised by devotees arriving from far and wide.
Chief Minister Reached Sultanganj by Road, Impenetrable Security Arrangements in Place
The district administration and police department had made foolproof arrangements for the Shravani Mela inauguration ceremony.
Journey by Road: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reached Sultanganj by road along with his security convoy coming from the direction of Munger. Although two helipads had also been constructed within the local Krishnanand Stadium premises keeping VIP movement in mind, comprehensive security arrangements and full-dress rehearsals along the designated road route had already been completed beforehand.
Welcome and Arrival: The Chief Minister arrived at the venue around 2:30 PM, where local public representatives, the District Magistrate (DM), and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) accorded him a grand welcome.
Inauguration Ceremony Amidst Conch Shells and Vedic Chants
The inauguration ceremony held at Namami Gange Ghat commenced with traditional and cultural events:
Lighting of the Lamp and Welcome: The program began with the broadcast of the national song and national anthem. Subsequently, distinguished guests were welcomed in a traditional manner, and the lamp was lit jointly.
Announcement Amidst Conch Shells: According to the pre-scheduled minute-to-minute timeline, the proceedings for the fair's launch moved forward amid the blowing of conch shells at 2:53 PM, culminating in the official announcement of the Shravani Mela's inauguration at 3:42 PM with the Chief Minister's address.
Apart from both Deputy Chief Ministers of the Bihar Government—Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav—several other cabinet ministers, local Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly, and administrative officials were specially present on this grand stage.
Inauguration of Digital Technology and Mobile App
To render this year's Shravani Mela modern and high-tech, several digital initiatives were launched during the inauguration ceremony itself:
Release of 'Ek Jhalak' Booklet: A special booklet detailing the history of the fair, route charts, and facilities provided by the government was released.
Shravani Mela Mobile App: A special mobile application was also inaugurated for the convenience of devotees, through which kanwarias can access route information, locations of health camps, police assistance, and train schedules with a single click. Additionally, a special video showcasing the arrangements within the mela zone was broadcasted.
Mela Zone Divided into 13 Sectors and Administrative Vigilance
To ensure law and order and smooth crowd control during the mela, the entire region has been divided into 13 sectors from an administrative perspective.
Deployment of Magistrates: Around 300 magistrates and a heavy deployment of police forces have been stationed for the entire month to maintain security and peace extending from the kanwar route to the Sultanganj Ganges bank.
Traffic and Parking Management: Separate parking spots and drop gates have been established for vehicles arriving from Munger, Banka, Patna, and Bhagalpur to ensure devotees visiting Sultanganj do not face any traffic-related grievances.
With this inauguration performed by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at 3:42 PM upon reaching Sultanganj by road, the smooth and grand commencement of the world-famous Shravani Mela has officially taken off. Initiated amidst foolproof administrative arrangements, modern technology, mobile app facilities, and strict security cordons, this month-long ritual is fully expected to prove immensely auspicious and convenient for the crores of Shiva devotees arriving from across the country and abroad.
