January 12, Bhubaneswar In preparation for the Maha Kumbh Mela, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday introduced first-rate bus services from four towns in Uttar Pradesh—Puri, Sambalpur, Bhawanipatna, and Berhampur—to Ayodhya via Varanasi and Prayagraj.
The state-owned public transport company, the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC), which is part of the state’s Transport & Commerce Department, has begun operating special pilgrim buses to the sacred locations.
On Sunday, more than 200 worshippers from various regions of Odisha boarded these unique buses, which were furnished with all the latest conveniences, in preparation for the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Majhi said that the Purna Kumbha is celebrated at Prayagraj every 12 years, while the Ardha Kumbha is conducted every 6 years. But this year, after a 144-year hiatus, the Maha Kumbh Mela will be held in Prayagraj.
Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh will host the Maha Kumbh Mela from January 13 to February 26. This year, Prayagraj will be crowded with thousands of saints and devotees for the major fair.
Every time the Kumbh Mela occurs, thousands of devotees from Odisha go to Prayagraj and bathe in the sacred Triveni Sangam, which is the meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Since the sacred Maha Kumbh Mela fair will take place over a lengthy period of time, from January 13 to February 26, I want everyone to make the holy pilgrimage to Prayagraj,” the chief minister said.
According to CM Majhi, the Odisha government has taken a number of steps to guarantee pilgrims traveling by bus utilizing the first-rate services provided by OSRTC have a safe trip. On each route, two buses will go up and down. The OSRTC has also completed all the required preparations for temporary lodging at certain locations along the routes.
Additionally, CM Majhi announced that the bus fee for female pilgrims has been cut in half. He said that the pilgrim buses now had an advanced driver support system, emergency buttons, and a live vehicle tracking system installed. Every bus has managers on board to make sure passengers don’t have any issues while traveling.
Aside from this, pilgrims have been given tents in Prayagraj, and tour guides have been hired to lead them there.
The OSRTC office here has set up a 24-hour support center for pilgrims attending the Maha Kumbh Mela. The pilgrims may also contact 78490 52205 on WhatsApp or 1800 345 1122 to request help.
In order to help the devotees in Prayagraj, OSRTC personnel have also been sent there. Tickets may be reserved in advance at OSRTC ticket counters, on the OSRTC website (osrtc.org), or via the OSRTC mobile app. The OSRTC is embarking on its first long-distance trip of more than 2,500 kilometers, the Chief Minister said.
