GAYA JI, Oct. 12 -- A record number of over 5.130 million pilgrims attended the 15-day Pitri Paksha Mela Mahasangam in Gaya Ji this year. This number is nearly 2 million more than last year's 3.178 million. The Bihar Tourism Department and the Gaya District Administration had anticipated the arrival of five million pilgrims and made elaborate arrangements. In light of the devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet, and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, some analysts and locals involved in the tourism business had predicted a dip in footfall. However, the influx of pilgrims defied all predictions, setting a record for the highest number of people visiting any pilgrimage or tourist destination in Bihar, officials said. Gaya District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar said that due to well-planned traffic, transportation, security, accommodation, and medical arrangements, no serious accidents or law and order situations occurred during the fair. He thanked the administration, police, other departments, and volunteers for their dedication and tireless efforts. Shubhankar said that a total of 51,30,110 pilgrims visited Gaya Ji for Pind Daan during Pitri Paksha. At least 1,56,208 pilgrims availed free medical treatment while over 20,000 were accommodated at the Gandhi Maidan Tent City and 1,334 were reunited with their families via the Lost and Found cell. A total of 99,444 pilgrims have been assisted so far via the AI-based language translation facility. Extensive preparations had been initiated nearly three months in advance. Thanks to well-organised management, improved infrastructure, security, cleanliness, healthcare services, and a spirit of service towards the devotees, pilgrims from across the country and abroad praised the arrangements made by the Bihar government and the district administration, he said. Though the state government has not released data regarding the business, Gaya Chamber of Commerce district president Pramod Bhadani estimates that the fair area alone generated between Rs.1,000 and Rs.1,200 crore during the mela. Even if a minimum expenditure of five lakh rupees per pilgrim is estimated, various businesspeople and service providers did good business during this Pitri Paksha, he added....