THE BAIDYANATH Dham at Deoghar in Jharkhand, attracts about 50 lakh pilgrims every year during the month of Sravana. They fetch Ganga Jal from Uttar Bahini Ganga at Sultan Ganj in Bihar and cover more than 100 km on foot, shouldering the Ganga Jal with Kabars to pour it on the Sivalinga at Baidyanath Dham, Deoghar. Previously, the roads were in such a bad condition, that it was tiresome to complete this pilgrimage even with vehicles.
After Jharkhand separated from Bihar, the former government showed concern for the development of roads and other infrastructure for the pilgrimage. The difference in the pace of development of both the states was well noticed. Peoples felt the separation of the state justified. Pilgrims from all parts of the country and abroad were returning with a distressful opinion about Bihar governance. This year the impression has changed.
Nitish Kumar has ensured improvement of the pilgrimage route to get a favorable development oriented impression of the pilgrimage for his government. His announcement of a total Kachha Road for the Kabarias and rapid works to achieve it has become the talking point among the pilgrims. The main road has been developed up to National Highway standard. A numbers of culverts and bridges have been constructed and many more are under construction, in both the main road and the newly developed Kachha roads.
The roads for Kabarias, both new and old, have been well dressed with soil and sand and are being moisturized to make it smoother for walking on bare foot. Further, a number of temporary first aid centers have been constructed on the route. Posters and hoardings of the state government have been placed on the roadside, displaying various socio development schemes. All these initiatives have changed the impression of the pilgrims towards Bihar governance.
On the other hand, there are many more problems faced by the pilgrims, that are, till now, ignorned by the state government. With the creation of the Kacha road, all the Dharmasalas, providing short duration as well as long duration rest for the devotees, which were situated along the main road, have now been bypassed. So, there is an urgent need for shelter points along the pilgrimage route.
For this, approaches from the new route to the existing Dharmasalas should be provided wherever possible. NGOs should extend help in achieving this, by aiding the government in setting up these shelters near the new route.
Moreover, many pilgrims are fleeced on this route by vendors selling food items at high prices or by private hotels who charge high tariffs. The government should work out a policy to regulate these prices on this route. Street lighting will also help the pilgrims to walk in the night, if they desire to do so.
The soil of this area is very fertile and underground water is easily available. So, the government should encourage the farmers to exploit this underground water supply for irrigation, to maximise agricultural production, without depending totally on rainfall. It will boost the economy of the area and will generate employment to decrease unemployment related crimes. The increase in the production of fruits and vegetables by lift irrigation will instigate change in the food habit. It will keep the people of the locality healthy as it will decrease the dependence of the people only on potato.
The Jharkhand government should also lend a hand to alleviate the problems faced by increasing pilgrims on this holy sojourn. The existing system of queuing visitors to the holy shrine has not kept up with the rise in pilgrims every year. The mighty run ahead and ahead in the queue, leaving others behind. Thus, those are unable to run either because of old age or due to injuries during the long walk, are not able to reach the Sivalinga even after remaining in the queue for hours and days together. Many financially sound pilgrims, pay hundreds of rupees to the Pandas and guards to allow them to enter into the queue near the temple.
The only way to solve this issue is through a strict, regularised queue system, in the pattern of Sri Vaishno Devi Shrine. Pilgrims should be required to obtain a serial pass at the entry point of Deoghar, near Darshania.
About 5000 pilgrims should then be allowed inside, on the basis of entry serial into the round row pandal at a time. By this, the pilgrims will know the expected time to join the queue and they will not have to remain waiting for days together. It will also minimise the irregular entrants into the queue as the use of the open road for queue will be reduced. The government may also consider constructing an overhead round row pandal over the Ravaneswar Sarovar, so that queues can be done away with all together. Temporary locker facilities can also be considered for pilgrims, so that they may not have to worry about their luggage.
These steps shall not only resolve the problems of the pilgrims but also, alleviate the increasing traffic problem in the area.
The Railway department is earning more than Rupees 100 crores every year out of this pilgrimage. But, it has not risen to meet the needs of the pilgrims. Instead of providing concession and better facilities for this Holy Yatra, surprisingly it is collecting additional Yatra Tax of five rupees per passenger on the train. Such unjustified collection should be stopped immediately. It should also strive towards providing special trains for the Yatra from various places to Sultan Ganj, Jashidih and Deoghar. It should also provide special ticket counters, rest sheds and lockers for the pilgrims.
Combined sincere effort of the state governments of Bihar and Jharkhand, the railways and religious institutions of the locality, has become necessary to alleviate the troubles of the devotees and make the Baidyanath Dham Yatra more vigorous, charming and attractive for the pilgrims for the socio-religious and economic growth of the locality.
