Somnath, July 31, 2024 - The revered Somnath Temple in Gujarat is all set to celebrate the Shravan festival, a month-long event filled with devotion, music, and community feasts. The festival will run from August 5 to September 3, 2024, and the Somnath Trust has put in place extensive preparations to ensure a satisfying experience for all devotees.

Extensive Preparations for Increased Pilgrim Influx

Every year, over 1 million devotees visit Somnath during the Shravan month. This year, the numbers are expected to surpass previous records. To accommodate the increased influx, the Somnath Trust has implemented micro-management strategies across all departments, ensuring smooth operations and excellent arrangements for lodging, food, and darshan.

Key Arrangements Include:

Enhanced lodging and dining facilities.

Additional staff and resources to manage the increased number of visitors.

Advanced fire safety systems and emergency medical facilities.

Special Provisions for Elderly and Disabled Pilgrims

Understanding the needs of elderly and disabled devotees, the Trust has introduced several special provisions:

Dedicated transportation from parking areas to the temple.

Wheelchairs and golf carts with free tickets for senior citizens and disabled persons.

Priority darshan for elderly and disabled devotees.

Trust Spokesperson Vijay Singh Chawda stated:

"Ensuring the comfort and safety of all our visitors, especially the elderly and disabled, is a top priority during the Shravan festival."

Training and Quality Management

All staff members, including officers and support staff, have undergone extensive training to meet international standards in temple management and pilgrim interactions. This includes disaster management, cleanliness, and visitor services, ensuring that every devotee has a positive and memorable experience.

Unique Worship Arrangements at Sankirtan Bhavan

To offer the best spiritual experience, the Trust has set up special worship arrangements at the Sankirtan Bhavan within the temple premises. Devotees can participate in various rituals such as flag worship, Pag Pooja, Kalash Pooja, and Rudrabhishek. The Sankirtan Bhavan serves as a one-stop solution for all devotional activities.

Special Events During Shravan

The festival will feature a series of spiritual and cultural events, including:

Shri Ram Katha from August 5 to August 13, led by Dr. Krunal Joshi.

Somnath Shiv Katha later in the month by Dr. Pankaj Rawal of Somnath Sanskrit University.

The "Mahamrityunjaya Yagna," where devotees can participate for a nominal fee of Rs 25.

Enhanced Pilgrim Facilities

To ensure a seamless experience, additional facilities such as purified drinking water points, expanded prasadam distribution, and enhanced cloakroom and shoe storage services will be available. The Trust's free dining hall has also doubled its capacity to cater to the influx of pilgrims.

Online and Remote Worship Options

Devotees who cannot visit in person can still participate in the Shravan festivities through the Trust’s official website and social media channels. Online bookings for various poojas, including the "Bilva Pooja," are available, and devotees can receive prasadam by post.