Devotees make kheer on the premises of the Patna collectorate on Thursday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Poonam Devi was busy cooking kheer and Kharna prasad happily at the Patna collectorate on the second day of Chhath.

“It is very comfortable here,” said the Arwal resident. “The major ghats of the city are nearby. We can perform the rituals easily.”

Like Poonam, hundreds of other devotees from the rural areas of Patna as well as distant districts have found shelter on the collectorate premises for the four days of the biggest festival of Bihar.

The district administration has made special arrangements for the convenience of the devotees.

The premises of the collectorate are usually reserved to park the vehicles of the employees. But now, only the official cars of the district magistrate and additional district magistrate-rank officers are being allowed to park on the premises.

The rest of the space has turned into a camp for devotees who throng the city during Chhath. Wooden barricades have been set up at the gates to prevent the entry of cars. Employees have also been deputed to ensure that vehicles do not enter the premises.

“Had I performed the rituals at my home, it would not have been so comfortable,” said Poonam.

Other devotees camping on the collectorate premises also praised the measures taken by the administration.

Surendra Yadav from Naubatpur said: “The district administration has made very good arrangements. Compared to the ghats in our villages, the riverbanks in Patna are cleaner and safe.”

He added: “We don’t have to struggle to perform any ritual here. The administration has also erected pontoon bridges at the ghats for the convenience of the devotees.”

For the safety of the devotees, policemen have been deployed inside and outside the collectorate premises. On Thursday, some policemen were even spotted helping the devotees acquire the items required to perform the rituals.

The approach road to the collectorate has also turned into a small fair. Temporary shops have come up and are selling items necessary to perform the rituals.

District public relations officer R.B. Sahay said: “We are doing our best to ensure that the devotees don’t face any problems. All the facilities are available at the collectorate. They will be able to perform the rituals with happiness and dedication.”