The East Champaran district administration is ready with arrangements for devotees about to congregate in large numbers at the Someshwarnath temple in Areraj for Shravan, beginning Saturday.

District magistrate Jitendra Shrivastava monitored the preparations for the month-long Shravani Mela on Friday in Areraj, located 25km west of Motihari, the district headquarters, and around 180km northeast of Patna.

From Saturday, at least 50,000 devotees are expected to gather at the temple.

Areraj sub-divisional magistrate Vijay Kumar Pandey said 400 police officers have been pressed into duty. Another 100 officers of sub-inspector and assistant sub-inspector rank and 50 magistrates would be deployed as well.

Radhe Shyam Yati, the chief priest of Someshwarnath temple, said: "We get at least 50,000-60,000 devotees throughout Shravani Mela, while the number touches 1 lakh on Mondays and Fridays, considered auspicious for praying to Lord Shiv."

"Usually, the administration faces a tough time every year in making adequate arrangements for jalabhishek during Shravan, but this time we have initiated special arrangements. To cut down on the rush of devotees inside the sanctum sanctorum, we have set up a tank outside the temple where devotees can pour water. Through a pipeline between the tank and the sanctum sanctorum, the water would be poured on Lord Shiv," said the temple's trust committee secretary, Madan Mohan Nath Tiwari.

Sub-divisional magistrate Pandey also said: "We have made arrangements for six control rooms inside and outside the temple. Police officers would man the control rooms with a wireless set. Seven temporary toilets have also been set up for the pilgrims."

Besides, watchtowers have been set up and closed-circuit television cameras installed in the area for a close vigil.