Bhubaneswar: The twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri in Odisha capital are all set to welcome seers for the Khandagiri Kumbha Mela starting Friday.
The mela starts on the auspicious occasion of Magha Saptami every year. Hundreds of sadhus, monks and saints from across the country congregate every year for the mela after taking a holy bath at Chandrbhaga in Konark on Magha Saptami.
A priest of Ananta Keshari Temple on Khandagiri hills told media, “Khandagiri and Udayagiri have been accorded divine sanctity in the scriptures and so saints and monks irrespective of the sect throng the hills, especially during the mela.”
The nine-day religious cum cultural mela will have a rural fair, several cultural events and theatre performances with jatras being the major attraction. President of Harekrushna Mahtab Cultural Council Krushnachandra Jena told media six pandals have been made and 12 jatra parties will perform.
“The administration has fixed the ticket prices for jatra as Rs 250, Rs 200 and Rs 150. We have volunteers deployed from our organisation. They will ensure a hassle-free experience for the spectators,” he informed.
Visitors to the mela can purchase local crafts, including wooden utensils, bamboo, stone carvings and various household items, and also savour traditional Odia cuisines.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is making arrangements for safety, security, parking and sanitation in the mela area, had convened a preparatory meeting for the Khandagiri Mela on January 29.
To make the fair attractive for people coming from outside, the BMC has also made arrangements for temporary toilets, health centres, drinking water facilities, an information centre and adequate lighting in the area.
