Thousands of devotees visit Baidyanath temple

Thousands of devotees on Wednesday visited the Baidyanath temple in Deoghar and Basukinath temple in Dumka on the first day of the month-long 'Shravani Mela' to offer prayers.

Inaugurating the world famous festival, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das greeted the people on the occasion and said Deoghar is known as "cultural capital".

"Let Deoghar too be known for cleanliness and humility just like 'Kumbh Mela' in Prayagraj was discussed (after the festival)," Das said and asked the administration to serve the devotees during the month-long festival.

He said the Centre and the state governments are making efforts to make Deoghar an international tourism city.

Das said Q-complex worth Rs 40 crore is under construction and 'prasad yojana' will soon be introduced.

The Centre has already approved the proposal to construct Ravindra Mandap in the temple city, he said.

Five motorbike ambulances have been introduced to remain at service of the devotees.

Meanwhile, more than 40,000 devotees offered prayers at Basukinath temple in Dumka, about 42 km from Deoghar.

Usually, the devotees who offer prayers at Deoghar also visit Basukinath temple to offer prayers.

The devotees fetch water from the Ganga at Sultanganj in Bihar, walk 105 km to Deoghar to pour water on the 'Shiv Ling' at the Baidyanath temple. Some devotees also fetch water from the Ganga at Bhagalpur.