Shravani Mela

Shravani Mela, a vibrant and spiritually charged festival, is held annually in Deoghar, Jharkhand during the holy month of Shravan (July–August). Centered around the revered Baba Baidyanath Temple—one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas—this month‑long pilgrimage attracts millions of Kanwariyas, devotees who carry holy Ganga water from Sultanganj in Bihar to DeogharLegend holds that the Shivling at Baidyanath Dham was brought to Deoghar by the demon‑king Ravana. He intended to take it to Lanka but it became immovable when placed here, establishing Deoghar as a ine site. Another thread ties in the ancient ritual of offering Ganga water to Shiva to cleanse sins—symbolizing purification, humility, and spiritual fervorEach year thousands begin their trek from Sultanganj where the Ganges uniquely flows northward carry water in decorated kanwars over a 105–109 km route, chanting “Bol Bam” and walking barefoot under the scorching monsoon skyUpon arrival in Deoghar, devotees traditionally bathe in Shivganga, purify themselves, then perform Jalabhishek, a sacred ritual of offering the water to the Jyotirlinga at the temple.Believed to be the world’s longest religious fair, Shravani Mela draws around 5 to 5.5 million pilgrims Each Monday during Shravan which is considered especially sacred the congregation swells Beyond its religious core, the festival has immense socio‑economic impact, boosting regional economy, tourism, and cultural cohesion. The Deoghar district administration and Department of Tourism arranges thousands of tents, medical camps, security posts, route lighting, and special trains for pilgrims. Over the years, infrastructure developments have kept pace from mobile apps, ID card-based crowd controls, cleanliness drives, to organized queue complexes and motorway corridors. In essence, Shravani Mela in Deoghar is not just a festival it's a monumental festival of devotion, myth, and humanity. Anchored in ancient lore and brimming with contemporary energy, it remains a living testament to India's collective faith and cultural unity drawing pilgrims to walk, chant, and cleanse in a timeless act of reverence.During the Shravani Mela, the Government of Jharkhand and the Department of Tourism are offering a wide range of facilities to assist pilgrims and tourists. Tent accommodations are available at key locations including Shivganga, Deoghar, Trikut, the scenic Tilkar, and Basukinath. Additionally, a large tent facility has been arranged for 2,000 people at the Kothia Temporary Bus Stand in Deoghar and for 2,400 people at the Block Office in Jarmundi and Tilkar, Dumka.To further support visitors, Tourist Information Centres (TICs) have been set up at multiple important locations:Essential amenities such as clean drinking water, toilets, 100 Kanwar stands, CCTV surveillance, bio-toilets (eco-friendly sanitation), and cloakroom services for storing personal belongings are also available at various points along the pilgrimage route.