Senior officials inspect Jalpesh temple amid speculation over CM visit

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is likely to inaugurate the month-long Shravani Mela at the historic Jalpesh temple, a revered shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, in Jalpaiguri on 20 July, according to highly placed sources.

Although the Chief Minister’s visit has not yet been officially announced, senior state government officials on Friday conducted an extensive inspection of the temple premises and the surrounding areas to review preparations for the annual pilgrimage.

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The inspection was led by Dr Saumitra Mohan, Secretary, Information and Cultural Affairs department, and Kausik Basak, Special Commissioner and Director of Culture. They were accompanied by district administrative and police officials, public representatives, and local MLAs.

The team reviewed arrangements related to crowd management, security, traffic regulation, pilgrim movement, and the overall conduct of the month-long fair.

Sources said the review meeting focused on preparations in the event of the Chief Minister’s proposed visit, including security arrangements, the inaugural programme, and facilities for the lakhs of devotees expected to visit the temple during the Shravani Mela.

The state government has reportedly accorded special importance to the historic Jalpesh temple as part of its broader initiative to promote heritage temples and strengthen religious tourism in West Bengal. The temple has also been included in the state’s religious tourism circuit, with efforts underway to improve infrastructure and visitor facilities.

If the Chief Minister visits on 20 July, he is also likely to travel to Uttarkanya, the state government’s branch secretariat in Siliguri, later the same day, sources added.

The fair will continue for nearly a month. Authorities are planning elaborate arrangements from the Teesta Bridge up to the temple to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and pilgrims, besides comprehensive traffic regulation, security deployment, and other civic facilities.

In a major attraction planned for this year’s fair, devotees are likely to witness flower petals being showered from a helicopter once every week, subject to favourable weather conditions. The proposal was disclosed by Rajganj MLA Dinesh Sarkar, who said the floral tribute would be organised during the mela for pilgrims visiting the shrine.