Smart Mobility and Planning Framework for Religious Tourism Management during Pitra Paksha Mela in Gaya, Bihar

https://doi.org/10.46610/IJTMTN.2026.v02i01.003

Abstract

Pitra Paksha (fortnight of the ancestors) happens every year in the city of Gaya during the month of Bhadrapada or September and October as per the Hindu (lunisolar) calendar. This ritual of pind daan (offering homage to departed ancestors) includes Vishnupad temple, the sacred Phalgu River, Pretshila Hill, Mangla Gauri Temple and other places. Approximately 0.8 to 0.9 million pilgrims from all over the nation, as well as from outside, arrive in the city during this time. This number is twice the population of Gaya. Tourists stay for either a single day, or for three or for seventeen days. This results in two of the most prominent problems—accommodation and traffic. Due to insufficient accommodation in hotels, guest houses, and dharamshalas (a rest house for pilgrims), which get filled up quickly, people have to stay in temporary accommodation, such as on rent, in tents, at public schools, and so on. Traditional methods of crowd management and infrastructure are no longer sufficient to handle the scale of the event effectively and efficiently. A technology-driven approach can revolutionize the management of this important place of pilgrimage, making it more organized while enhancing the overall experience of pilgrims. Through a review of available literature along with case studies of sites that manifest similar religious congregations, this paper intends to (1) explore the present state of management of accommodation and transportation in the city of Gaya, and (2) suggest technological measures towards management of accommodation and transportation in the city of Gaya during Pitra Paksha. This is the first of its kind research related to Pitra Paksha in Gaya, which provides smart-technology oriented management of accommodation and transportation for better management of the city as well as for enhancement of pilgrimage experience.