Pitru Paksha Fair 2025 begins in Gaya: Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary inaugurates mela
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary opened the Pitru Paksha Fair in Gaya on 25 September 2025, one of India's most prominent ancestral-ritual gatherings. With the mela running until 10 October and large crowds expected at Vishnupad Temple and the Falgu River, Health Minister Nishant Kumar personally inspected medical camps and directed officials to keep healthcare running seamlessly throughout.
Key Takeaways
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the Pitru Paksha Fair in Gaya on 25 September 2025 .
The mela is scheduled to continue until 10 October 2025 .
Health Minister Nishant Kumar and Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary accompanied the Chief Minister during visits to Vishnupad Temple and Maa Mangla Gauri Shaktipeeth .
Kumar inspected Health Department facilities, including a stall run by the District Health Society , and directed officials to maintain uninterrupted medical services.
Arrangements spanning healthcare, sanitation, security , and traffic management have been deployed across the mela grounds.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday, 25 September 2025 inaugurated the Pitru Paksha Fair in Gaya, formally opening the annual religious gathering that draws pilgrims from across India to perform Pind Daan and Tarpan rituals in memory of their ancestors. The mela is scheduled to run until 10 October 2025.
Key Developments at the Inauguration
During the opening ceremony, State Health Minister Nishant Kumar, alongside Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, visited the revered Vishnupad Temple and offered prayers. Chief Minister Choudhary also reviewed the logistical and safety arrangements put in place for the anticipated surge of devotees.
Health Minister Kumar separately paid his respects at the Maa Mangla Gauri Shaktipeeth, performing the prescribed rituals and praying for the well-being and prosperity of Bihar's people.
Health Arrangements Under the Microscope
A significant focus of the official visit was a detailed inspection of the Health Department's preparedness across the mela grounds. Kumar reviewed medical facilities at multiple locations and personally visited a health stall operated by the District Health Society, assessing the services being extended to pilgrims.
He also inspected arrangements within the temple premises and directed officials to ensure that healthcare infrastructure functions without disruption throughout the fair's duration. With a large influx of pilgrims expected, the department has established health camps and stalls at several points across the mela area.
Scale of the Mela and Administrative Preparations
The Pitru Paksha Mela is one of Bihar's largest religious gatherings, centred on the Vishnupad Temple and the banks of the Falgu River, where ancestral rites have been performed for centuries. The mela draws pilgrims from multiple states, making coordinated administration critical.
This year, the district administration and various government departments have put in place wide-ranging arrangements covering healthcare, sanitation, security, traffic management, and other essential civic services. Dedicated monitoring teams have been deployed to oversee facilities and address grievances in real time.
What Comes Next
With the fair running for more than a fortnight, authorities will continue daily reviews of crowd management and service delivery. Officials have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock medical cover and remain responsive to any emerging needs of the pilgrims.
Point of View
And its administration is a logistical stress-test for Bihar's state machinery. The conspicuous deployment of the Health Minister and Deputy CM alongside the Chief Minister signals that this year's edition is being treated as a governance showcase, not merely a religious formality. However, high-profile inspections carry weight only if followed through — past melas have seen complaints about inadequate medical response and sanitation lapses in the later, more crowded days of the fair. The real measure of preparedness will come in the fair's second week, when pilgrim numbers typically peak.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Pitru Paksha Fair 2025 in Gaya begin and when does it end?
The Pitru Paksha Fair in Gaya began on 25 September 2025, inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and is scheduled to continue until 10 October 2025.
What is the significance of the Pitru Paksha Mela in Gaya?
The Pitru Paksha Mela in Gaya is one of India's most important religious gatherings, during which Hindu devotees perform Pind Daan and Tarpan rituals at the Vishnupad Temple and along the Falgu River to honour their ancestors. It draws pilgrims from across the country every year.
What health arrangements have been made for the Pitru Paksha Fair 2025?
The Health Department has established health camps and medical stalls at multiple locations across the mela grounds, including within the temple premises. Health Minister Nishant Kumar inspected these facilities and directed officials to ensure round-the-clock medical services for pilgrims throughout the fair.
Which senior Bihar government leaders attended the inauguration?
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and State Health Minister Nishant Kumar all attended the inauguration and visited the Vishnupad Temple together. Kumar also separately worshipped at the Maa Mangla Gauri Shaktipeeth.
What other administrative arrangements are in place for the mela?
The district administration has coordinated wide-ranging measures covering sanitation, security, traffic management, and healthcare. Dedicated monitoring teams have been deployed to oversee services and respond to complaints from pilgrims during the fortnight-long fair.
