On a song: Daler Mehndi; Shreya Ghoshal

Jamshedpur, July 5: Deoghar is gearing up for the big month ahead.

The state tourism department and Deoghar district administration are making last minute preparations to ensure that the Shravani Mela celebrations passes off peacefully.

To be held on the foothills of Trikut Hills, the abode of lord Shiva during the month of Shravan, the fest promises to be high on entertainment. The department has roped in Shreya Ghoshal, Daler Mehndi and Saloni of Chhote Miyan fame to perform live at the cultural programme scheduled from August 1 to 3.

“To enliven the spirits of the devotees thronging Deoghar during Shravani Mela, we thought of inviting some Bollywood singing sensations for the cultural event. The visitors will definitely like the programme,” said A.K. Singh, the secretary of the state tourism department.

This is not all. The mega fair will also have kiosks displaying handicraft and handloom items. Various delicacies of the state will be served to the devotees and bhajan, kirtan and shivleelas are also lined up for the gala.

More than 10 lakh devotees visit Deoghar every year during the festival. The district administration has set up 100 medical camps in the township, each of these camps has 10-15 beds.

There will be health centres also at the fair grounds. Apart from this, there will be 22 information centres to help the visitors.

“To get information on accommodation, prasad, rituals and medical camps, the visitors can go to any of the info centres set up around the township. People, especially children, go missing at the fair and on the temple premises every year. The centres will also help to locate them. We have also decided to set up pandals where devotees can rest and stay during the fest. Around 20,000 people can be accommodated there at a time,” said M.R. Meena, the DC of Deoghar.