Bhagalpur: With lakhs of devotees arriving at Sultanganj for the month-long Shrawani Mela, the Bhagalpur district administration and the Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) are organising street plays and folk performances along the pilgrimage route to spread awareness about public welfare schemes of the govt and key social issues.Through these performances, artists are informing pilgrims about various state govt schemes while also conveying messages on cleanliness, health, women’s empowerment, drug de-addiction, road safety, environmental protection, social harmony and water conservation.The programmes, being staged at resting camps and key points along the trek route, have also emerged as a source of entertainment and relaxation for pilgrims undertaking the arduous journey to Deoghar.Street plays and folk performances are being held at strategic locations en route to Deoghar, Basukinath and Ajgaibinath. The events have been drawing large crowds, with devotees eagerly watching the performances and learning about govt schemes and social welfare initiatives.Bhagalpur DM Alankrita Pandey said the initiative was an effective way to communicate socially relevant messages and create awareness about govt welfare programmes among pilgrims and local residents alike.She said the performances would continue throughout the Shrawani Mela at prominent locations across the mela area and pilgrimage route to ensure that welfare-related information reaches the maximum number of devotees visiting Sultanganj. The DM appealed to pilgrims and the public to watch the performances and avail themselves of the benefits of government schemes.Every year, an estimated 50 to 60 lakh pilgrims from across the country, as well as from neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan, visit Sultanganj during the Shrawani Mela to collect holy water from the Ganga.Carrying the holy water in kanwars on their shoulders, devotees then undertake a barefoot trek of nearly 105km to the Baba Baidyanath temple in Deoghar, chanting “Bol Bam” throughout the journey. The pilgrimage culminates with the offering of the Ganga water on the Shivalinga at the temple.
