PATNA, Sept. 8 -- The tourism department is set to roll out an extensive set of facilities for lakhs of pilgrims expected to converge on Gaya Ji for the Pitripaksh mela, one of Hinduism's most significant occasions for ancestral rites. The fortnight-long congregation, scheduled from September 25, draws devotees from across India and abroad who perform 'pind daan' on the banks of the Falgu river to seek peace for their forefathers.

Tourism secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh during a meeting on Tuesday directed officials to complete all arrangements on schedule. The Bihar state tourism development corporation (BSTDC) will erect a tent city with 2,500 beds, set up a temporary tourist information centre and launch a dedicated helpline so that pilg...