2024 Shravan Ashtami Fair at Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple

The sacred Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple is located on a hilltop in the Bilaspur district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Every year, the Shravan Ashtami Mela is organized at the Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple during the month of Shravan/Sawan. This 10-day mela (fair) at the temple is celebrated with festive fervor. This year, the mela was celebrated from August 5 to 14.

During this event, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit the temple. They use various modes of transportation to reach the temple. Some even undertake the entire pilgrimage on foot, starting from their residences. The Naina Devi bus stand is situated approximately 1.5 kilometers from the temple. From this point onwards, there are around 1,084 steps to the temple. While many pilgrims follow this route, alternative routes are also available.

Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) served the pilgrims visiting the Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple during the Shravan Ashtami Mela, 2023 by setting up two medical camps and providing an ambulance service. Continuing these services this year, VMRK was once again grateful for the opportunity to serve the pilgrims during the Shravan Ashtami Mela, 2024.

The first camp along with the ambulance services was set up near the temple, close to the Naina Devi bus stand, at the request of the local administration. The second medical camp was organized at Ghanauli village, 45 kilometers from the temple, to address the need for medical assistance during the pilgrims’ journey.

Medical camp preparations

The local administration allocated VMRK a hall for the camp near the temple. The second medical camp was located adjacent to the highway in Ghanauli village. VMRK arranged for a local service provider to set up a waterproof metal shed to protect the second medical camp from the summer monsoon rain.

VMRK purchased medicines and medical equipment for both camps. A fully equipped ambulance was deep cleaned and all its life-saving equipment was serviced by the respective agency to ensure proper functioning.

24-hour Medical services

Both medical camps operated around the clock to serve devotees arriving at any time of the day. These camps were staffed by a team of 3 doctors, 3 pharmacists, 7 paramedical staff, and 20–25 volunteers.

The Ghanauli medical camp is located along one of the most frequently traveled routes, with approximately 400–500 pilgrims passing through daily. A significant number of these pilgrims complete the entire journey on foot, with some even walking barefoot. During the mela, there was overcrowding along the route to the temple. Pilgrims had to park as far as 10 kilometers away from the temple, and then walk to the temple. Consequently, a large proportion of pilgrims at both medical camps required medical care due to walking long distances.

Pilgrims also had to cope with the heavy summer monsoon rain along their journey. As a result of the weather and physical exertion, many pilgrims experienced symptoms such as fever, cold, cough, body pain, foot blisters, and injuries. The medical team carefully attended to them, providing free consultations, medicines, and first aid.

Additionally, pilgrims received in-house medical attention at the two-bed clinical treatment center in the medical camp near the temple. A fully equipped ambulance was stationed next to this camp to transport patients with severe health conditions to the nearest hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. Together, in both medical camps, more than 6,510 pilgrims received medical services.