RANCHI, July 12, 2013: The state tourism department has received an overwhelming response to its unique plan of ferrying pilgrims in choppers to Baidyanath Dham.

The first chopper would take off on July 22, a day before the month-long Shravani Mela begins.

Over 2000 interested pilgrims have so far contacted the organizers. The most interested in this service are women and old people. It is for the first time that pilgrims would be able to fly to Baidyanath Dham, offer pujas as a VIP would do and return home without any hassle. The tourism department has reached an agreement with the Deoghar district administration and those using choppers would be given special passes.

Pankaj Kumar Chaudhary, co-chairman of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJtourism sub-committee, said the first ever such initiative has got overwhelming support from the prospective pilgrims. "I hope that a good percentage of the inquiries would turn into bookings. There are 10 days to go for the Shravani Mela and in the next seven days bookings would be done," said Chaudhary. Over 50 bookings have been done so far.

A nine-seater chopper (Cessna grand caravan 208b) would take off from Ranchi airport and land at Deoghar airport.

The project is undertaken by Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) and FJCCI. A member of the FJCCI tourism committee said around 40 tourism agencies based in various parts of the state are booking tickets for the service. Three agencies in Kolkata, which have been approved by JTDC and FJCCI, are also booking tickets.

A pilgrim has to book a tour package for visiting Baidyanath Dham during Shravani Mela.

It will cost Rs 14,999 for each pilgrim. An authority said pilgrims who would land at Deoghar would be entitled to a VIP pass. A priest of the Baidyanath Dham temple has been hired as the guide.

The pilgrims, on reaching the Deoghar airport, will be taken in cars to the temple where they will be allowed inside through the VIP route for offering puja. "The entire time spent would be around 5 hours," said tourism secretary Sajjal Chakraborty.

A hassle-free darshan at Baidyanath Dham during Shravani Mela is unimaginable. Over 30 lakh pilgrims visiting the temple during Shravani Mela have to face a lot of trouble. They have to wait for over 20 to 30 hours just to offer holy water to Lord Shiva.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 12, 2013.