- By Akansha Pandey
- Thu, 13 Nov 2025 03:56 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
The district administration has begun comprehensive preparations for the renowned Khichdi Mela held annually at the Gorakhnath Temple. In a meeting with officials from all departments at the Vikas Bhawan auditorium on Wednesday, District Magistrate (DM) Deepak Meena instructed that all preparations must be completed by December 15, 2025.
The DM emphasised that the Gorakhnath Mela is a "symbol of Gorakhpur's identity and faith," attracting hundreds of thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad to offer khichdi to Baba Gorakhnath. He stated that the administration's top priority is to ensure no devotee faces any inconvenience and warned that negligence from any department will not be tolerated.
The month-long mela is scheduled to begin on January 14, 2026.
Key Directives And Departmental Responsibilities
The DM issued specific instructions to various departments to be completed in a coordinated and timely manner:
1. Traffic and Parking
Increased Parking: Expecting a larger number of devotees this year, the DM ordered an increase in the number of parking sites.
Circular Route System: A circular route system will be implemented in collaboration with the traffic police and the municipal corporation to ensure smooth traffic flow and prevent congestion.
Advance Notice: The traffic police, municipal corporation, and CO Traffic were instructed to announce alternative routes in advance.
2. Sanitation And Water Supply
Cleaning: Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Singh Sogarwal was instructed to deploy special teams for daily cleaning and ensure regular collection of waste to the trenching ground. Impeccable cleanliness is to be maintained on temple premises and surrounding roads.
Toilets: The number of public toilets is to be increased.
Drinking Water: The municipal corporation and the Jal Kal department were directed to install an adequate number of water tanks, handpumps, and temporary water stalls. All pipelines must be inspected and any leakages repaired.
3. Health And Safety
Medical Camps: CMO Rajesh Jha was instructed to arrange medical camps and primary health centres on the mela premises and in surrounding areas for immediate medical assistance.
Medical Staff: Teams of doctors, along with essential medicines, must be available.
Disease Prevention: Fogging and anti-larval spraying are to be completed on time to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
4. Security And Surveillance
Police Deployment: SSP Raj Karan Nayyar assured that an adequate police force will be deployed.
Women's Security: A special deployment of female police personnel will be made for the security of female devotees.
CCTV Monitoring: CCTV cameras will be installed on the temple premises, at parking sites, and on main routes. These will be monitored from a dedicated control room.
Progress Report And Final Vision
During the meeting, ADM City Anjani Kumar Singh presented a progress report, stating that plans for temporary stalls, food inspection teams, and temporary electricity connections are being prepared.
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DM Deepak Meena concluded by stating that the Gorakhnath Mela is not only a centre of religious faith but also a "symbol of Gorakhpur's cultural and social unity." He instructed all departments to maintain high standards of cleanliness, security, and service so that devotees can experience a clean, safe, and harmonious environment.
Meeting Attendees
Key officials present at the meeting included GDA Vice-Chairman Anand Vardhan, SP Traffic Rajkumar Pandey, District Development Officer Rajmani Verma, CO Mandir Ratneshwar Singh, CO Gorakhnath Ravi Singh, CO Traffic Vivek Tiwari, and all other concerned officials.
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