Artists give final touches to kanwars at a shop in Sultanganj on Thursday. Picture by Amit Kumar

Sultanganj, July 14: The kanwarias (pilgrims) are set to hit the town in thousands to fetch water from the Ganga and set off for Deoghar to pour it on Lord Shiva’s linga in the holy month of Shravan.

The Bhagalpur district administration has made all the necessary arrangements to manage thousands of devotees coming to the town en route to Deoghar by foot. Besides extra security measures and water sprinklers along the Kanwaria Path, it has made arrangements to install a coin dispenser. The State Bank of India would set it up.

District magistrate Narmadeshwar Lal told reporters that the decision to install the machine was taken in view of huge demand of coins among pilgrims going to attend the month-long Shravani Mela in Deoghar. This year, the fair would begin from Saturday.

Lal said the banks had also been requested to press into service mobile ATM units on the 110km-long stretch between Sultanganj and Baidyanath Dham temple at Deoghar.

The changing course of the Ganga would pose a challenge to the district administration, though. The Siddhi Ghat, from where the kanwarias collect water, has become steeper.

Lal said the water resources department had been instructed to conduct soil-dressing work at the ghats at Sultanganj like the previous year.

“We are taking necessary steps to counter the problems at the ghats and hope we will be able to tackle the situation,” Lal told reporters.

Residents of the town as well as outsiders have opened stalls for pilgrims. They have decorated their shops well to draw customers and cash in on the fair season.

The residents of the town are upbeat over its illuminated look before the month-long Shravani Mela.

“It is very difficult to distinguish between day and night here during the mela time. Look how Sultanganj is glittering,” said local resident Bhudev Thakur, pointing to the high-mast lighting arrangements.

The entire town has been decked up with welcome gates. Camps of non-government organisations and different state government departments have been set up.