Patrapada’s Unique Kandhei Melan In Odisha Capital: Kids Carry Toys In Bimans

Bhubaneswar: People, mostly children, of Bhagbanpur in Patrapada panchayat on the outskirts of Odisha capital have long been organising a unique fair ‘Kandhei Malena’.

This fair was organised by children with support of villagers with traditional fervor and gaiety on Tuesday.

It is quite different from traditional Dola Melan. Scores of children carried attractively decorated bimans (palanquins) with toys as deities through the village street. ‘Ghodancha’ was made part of the melan that drew a large crowd on Tuesday. BMC Mayor Sulochana Das joined the celebration at the melan.

Speaking about the event, some villagers said that the fair was started over 60 years ago, though they could not remember the exact year. Children of the village set this tradition over six decades ago.

“People in nearby villages would take decorated Bimans with idols of deities to different Dola Melan fairs. It then caught the imagination of the children who decorated toys, put them in small bimans and moved in the village streets. Since then, this tradition has been followed. Later villagers came out in support and lent their hands to organise it in a bigger way,” said a villager.

“We all celebrate with warmth and fervor as all villagers and children are united at this time,” said another villager.

An elderly villager, narrating the significance of the fair, said,”This is a unique melan. Children carry toys in bimans instead of idols of god and goddess as done in Dola Melans. The fair gives a message that divine spirit is all-pervasive.”

A large number of people, including children, thronged the fair site to be part of the celebration.