The revered pilgrimage center of Ramdevra in Jaisalmer is currently witnessing a massive influx of devotees for the annual Bhadwa fair dedicated to the folk deity Baba Ramdev. While millions of people travel from all corners of the country to pay their respects at the sacred shrine, visitors are increasingly complaining about systemic chaos and arbitrary financial demands. Instead of experiencing a peaceful spiritual journey, travelers are allegedly being targeted by aggressive fee collection practices around the temple zone.
Struggles of Pilgrims at the Annual Fair
The month-long fair brings an enormous crowd of believers to the holy town, creating an atmosphere of deep devotion. However, this year’s gathering has been overshadowed by widespread grievances regarding parking management and logistical failures. Visitors point out that entering the town requires navigating through restrictive barriers where they are immediately subjected to aggressive demands for money, causing severe inconvenience to families arriving from distant places.
Barricades and Forced Toll-Like Collection
Main entry routes leading into the fairgrounds have been heavily blocked using large barricades and wooden poles deployed by personnel linked to the parking contractors. Vehicles attempting to enter are halted in a manner reminiscent of commercial toll plazas. Visitors report that regardless of whether they intend to use public parking facilities, a standard parking fee of ₹100 is forcibly collected from every vehicle. Those who inform staff members about pre-booked hotel accommodations inside the complex are often subjected to misbehavior and denied passage.
Viral Videos and Double-Charge Grievances
Numerous video clips highlighting these administrative issues have surfaced on social media platforms, drawing public scrutiny. Affected individuals shared that after paying the initial parking charge, vehicles leaving temporarily for essential errands are forced to pay the entire amount again upon re-entry. Presenting previous receipts yields no relief from the attendants on duty. Furthermore, travelers noted that after paying ₹100 at the main gate, they face additional demands at secondary parking spots inside, effectively imposing a double financial burden on every vehicle.
Meanwhile, the parking attendants and collection staff defend their actions by stating that they secured the official parking contract through a panchayat-level bidding process exceeding ₹72 lakh. They maintain that this routine is followed annually during the fair season and that they are operating strictly within the parameters of their agreement. Conversely, visitors who travel long distances express deep frustration over these practices, questioning why charges are levied on those who do not use the designated parking lots.
Outrage Over Restricted Movement
Voicing strong opposition to the current system, a pilgrim named Dinesh Sarwadat criticized the panchayat-level arrangements, stating that blocking public roads and restricting access without proper transparency amounts to unfair taxation. He emphasized that this practice, which began only in recent years, must be stopped immediately. He further urged the local representative to take prompt action to curb the mistreatment of innocent devotees visiting the shrine.
