8 trains to stop at Mahadevsal for Shravan Mela

Jamshedpur, July 13: In order to facilitate devotees travelling to the annual Mahadevsal mela, about eight trains will temporarily halt at Mahadevsal (up and down lines) during the holy month of Shravan.

The South Eastern Railway (SER) has announced that trains will halt at the popular shrine in Chakradharpur till August 12 for at least two minutes. Five passenger trains will halt every day while express trains will halt during different days.

Passenger trains which will make a daily stoppage at Mahadevsal are 08163/08164 Chakradharpur-Rourkela- Chakradharpur MEMU Passenger Special daily, 18109/18110, Tatanagar-Itwari-Tatanagar Express daily, 18189 Tatanagar-Ernakulam Express Thursday and  Sunday, 18190 Ernakulam-Tatanagar Express Friday and  Tuesday,  13287/13288 Durg-Rajendranagar-Durg Express daily,  18477/18478 Puri-Yog Nagari Rishikesh-Puri Express daily,  12871/12872 Howrah-Titlagarh-Howrah Express daily,  18005/18006 Howrah-Jagdalpur-Howrah Express Sunday and  Monday.

SER has asked Chakradharpur division to arrange temporary booking counters and deputation of sufficient train ticket examiners who will keep a check on unauthorized travellers during the mela period.

“Special arrangements for the trains have been made to facilitate pilgrims who arrive at Mahadevsal from different parts of the

state and from adjoining Odisha during Shravani Mela,” said an official at the divisional headquarters.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mahadevsal shrine located in Saranda forest area in Goilkera block of the mineral rich district is one of the ancient temples of the region which attracts thousands of pilgrims during Shravan, in particular.

In view of Sravani Mela, the following trains will have a two minutes temporary stoppage at Mahadevsal from July 13 to August 12.

Trains usually do not halt at the station. But, because of the heavy rush of devotees to this place during the holy month of Shravan, the railways provide a halt for all the mail and express trains.

Sources in West Singhbhum district administration informed that over 3 lakh visitors and pilgrims visit the popular Mahadevsal temple during the holy month of Shravan. But, this year the figures are expected to cross 3.50 lakh.

Pilgrims from various parts of the state and the neighbouring Orissa will visit the temple during days of Shravan. This year the holy month commenced on July 14.