5 lakh Kanwariyas offer holy water of Bagmati to Someshwarnath Mahadev at Areraj

photo by Imteyaz Ahmed

Satish Aditya
Motihari :  Although every year on the eve of  Anant Chaturdashi  thousands of Kanwariyas usually arrive at Areraj Someshwarnath Mahadev temple in East Champaran District,the second oldest temple of Bihar after Mundeshwari Devi temple in Kaimur District, this year around five lakh Kanwariyas and Dak-Bam  from Nepal, Sitamarhi, Sheohar , Gopalganj, East Champaran  and other districts of north Bihar offered  holy water of river Bagmati to Lord Someshwarnath Mahadev at Areraj on  September 11, 2019, on Triyodashi, a day before Anant Chaturdashi.

The gate of temple was opened at 12,20 am after September 10, 2019, mid-night, to enable the devotees offer holy water to Lord Mahadev.  The temple security has been handed over to the BMP under a magistrate to control the Kanwariyas as well as Dak-Bam, said Dhirendra Kumar Mishra, SDM, Areraj, and chairman of  3- day  Mela committee.

SDM Mishra said that although every year Anant Chaturdashi mela draws huge crowd at Areraj but this year there is unprecedented rush of devotees. East Champaran DM Raman  Kumar said  the district administration has set up eight
control rooms in a stretch of 75 km between  Belwaghat  on Bagamati river  to Areraj Mahadev temple with magistrate, policemen, doctor, medicine, and ambulances for the past last  four days.

That apart, large numbers  of policemen have been deployed  on the road in this route. The district administration has also deployed a team of divers at Belawaghat from where thousands of saffron–clad devotees including men, women, boys, and girls were seen carrying holy water enroute Areraj for the last four days.  Three hundred Kanwariya Seva Shivir  and  250  medical camps are being run enroute by social workers who were seen distributing fruits , tea and other essential items among the Kanwariyas. The women and children were seen busy on roads in Motihari town serving Dak-kanwariyas with hot water.

Keeping in  mind the huge crowd, elaborate security arrangements has been made around the temple and mela ground
and  150 policemen and 50 magistrates have been deployed at all important points at Areraj Mahadev temple. A team of
senior officials are keeping a close watch on the 75 km route from Belwaghat of river Bagmati  under Patahi police station  to Areraj temple. DM Raman Kumar has reviewed  all the arrangements.

SDM Mishra said it is true we could not make arrangements for adequate accommodation for pilgrims at Areraj, but the
pilgrims have been given space for night shelter at 10 schools. What was needed was three big Dharmsalas at Areraj.

Former Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh, the BJP MP from Purvi Champaran, has been camping at Areraj and
monitoring the arrangements for Kanwariyas. A huge Pandal has been set up to accommodate 20,000 Kanwariyas near
the temple and free Langar is being run round the clock for the devotees. More than 1,000 Swachhagrahis are engaged in cleanliness drive at Mela.

According to police sources, 20  Kanwariya fell unconscious  near Areraj temple  due to suffication. SDM Mishra said they were given medical aid and 7 were referred to Motihari hospital .