Ambaji Bhadarvi Poonam Mela 2026: Rest shelters, free food, 38 parking areas arranged for devotees

Gandhinagar: Extensive preparations are underway for the Bhadarvi Poonam Mahamela at Gujarat’s famous Shakti Peeth Ambaji from September 20 to 26, 2026, with lakhs of devotees expected to arrive from across India and abroad.

The Gujarat government and the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board, in coordination with various departments, have arranged temporary facilities to ensure the convenience, safety, cleanliness and smooth movement of pilgrims during the seven-day fair, according to a press release.

The arrangements include rest shelters, parking facilities, toilets, drinking water, healthcare and emergency services, security measures, CCTV cameras, mobile charging points and free food shelters.

12,300 sq. metre rest shelters

To provide pilgrims with a place to rest after their journey, shelters have been set up across 12,300 sq. metres.

Five shelters on the Hadad route can accommodate around 2,776 pilgrims with single and bunk beds, while two shelters on the Danta route can accommodate around 1,140 pilgrims. Another shelter with 600 floor beds has also been set up on the Hadad route.

Free food shelters and 30 water pagodas

Free food shelters have been established across 2,190 sq. metres during the fair. The shelter on the Danta route can accommodate around 2,000 to 2,500 people, while the shelter on the Gabbar route can accommodate around 500 people.

For drinking water, 30 water pagodas have been installed, including 13 on the Hadad route, 13 on the Danta route and four on the Gabbar route.

33 toilet blocks

To maintain sanitation during the influx of pilgrims, 33 toilet blocks have been set up. Of these, eight are located at rest shelters, 14 along the highway and 11 in major parking areas.

The rest shelters have 80 bathing units, 80 WC units, 24 urinals and 32 handwashing units.

Parking across 2.67 lakh sq. metres

With a large number of vehicles expected during the Mahamela, parking facilities have been arranged across 2,67,265 sq. metres.

A total of 17 parking areas will be available on the Hadad route and 21 on the Danta route to facilitate vehicle management.

Healthcare and emergency arrangements

For immediate medical assistance, six first-aid counters and 10 medical/lost-and-found centres will be operational.

Safety arrangements include electrical and lighting facilities and 125 fire extinguishers. Rest shelters will also have multiple mobile charging points, registration pagodas, water counters and information and guidance signage.

Signage and crowd-management measures

To help pilgrims navigate the fair area, signage and hoardings have been installed across around 4,000 sq. metres.

The arrangements also include six welcome arches, box towers, queue managers, barricading, agro nets and red carpets. The fair area has been decorated with flagpoles, potted plants and other elements to create a religious and cultural ambience.

216 craft stalls for local artisans

To provide opportunities to local artisans and traders, around 216 craft stalls, each measuring 2×3 metres, have been set up across approximately 1,300 sq. metres at the fair premises.

The state government and the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board, along with various departments, have coordinated the arrangements to facilitate the large number of devotees expected at Ambaji during the Bhadarvi Poonam Mahamela. DeshGujarat