Ambaji: The Bhadarvi Poonam Maha Mela at Ambaji has begun with great fervour. The temple trust and district administration, under the motto “Aastha Tamari, Vyavastha Amari” (Your faith, our arrangements), have set up a help desk at the main control point to ensure smooth facilities for pilgrims arriving on foot.

Authorities have also launched dedicated helpline numbers and urged devotees to contact them in case of any difficulty during their visit. Pilgrims can seek assistance by calling 02749-262040, 262041, 262042, 262043, 262044, 262045, 262046, 262047, 262048, 262049, and 262050.

The annual fair draws over 30 lakh devotees during the seven-day celebrations. This year, the Gabbar route, temple premises, all three entrance gates, the 51 Shaktipeeth Circle, and nearby areas have been illuminated with special decorative lighting. The main temple has been decorated with flowers, while Chachar Chowk will sparkle with glittering lights in the evenings.

Special facilities have been arranged for devotees offering prostrations (dandvat pranam), senior citizens, differently-abled visitors, those on wheelchairs, and garba groups. They will be guided directly from the bus stand to the temple via a separate route. Wheelchair and e-rickshaw services are also available from the entry point to the temple.

To accommodate incoming vehicles, 35 parking lots have been set up across an area of 1,83,085 square metres, with space for over 22,541 vehicles. For security, a three-tier police arrangement with nearly 5,000 personnel has been deployed. Women’s “She Teams,” special monitoring squads, and surveillance through more than 332 cameras will further enhance safety. Control rooms, watch towers, body-worn cameras, and drone surveillance have also been deployed to oversee the arrangements. DeshGujarat