GUWAHATI, June 20 � With the Nilachal Hills thronging with devotees from all walks of life and across the country to be part of the Maha Ambubachi festivities, the health authorities today launched a special drive to check the food distributed among the pilgrims converged here.
Already thousands of sadhus and sanyasins have assembled here, attracting the attention of the other visitors with their peculiar postures and style code.
It needs to be mentioned here that different philanthropic organizations and a number of trusts take upon themselves the responsibility of providing food to the pilgrims who come to seek the blessings of the Goddess Kamakhya. The Maha Ambubachi Mela has emerged as a big crowd puller with the Nilachal Hills recording increasing number of foot fall every year.
Vegetarian meal is served three times a day to the pilgrims and food inspectors of Kamrup informed that strict vigilance is being kept over the quality of food distributed here.
Senior Food Inspector of Guwahati Hiren Kalita said that this special checking drive will continue till June 27.
The Kamakhya temple, along with other temples located in the Nilachal Hills, will remain closed from June 23 to 25 on account of Ambubachi. �From today we started our special vigilance regarding the food that is being cooked and distributed here. We do not want to take any chance of a mishap arising on account of the food served to the devotees,� said Kalita.
The organizations providing food to the devotees have been instructed to maintain hygiene while preparing the food comprising morning breakfast, lunch and light meal in the evening.
�We have the information that around 26 organizations would be involved in providing food to the pilgrims. Today two trusts served food and we are satisfied with the quality maintained,� said another Food Inspector of Kamrup (Metro) Samiran Baruah.
Breakfast is distributed to the devotees between 6 am to 9 am, lunch between 12 pm to 3 pm and evening meal between 4 pm to 10 pm.
