You couldn't have been more accurate in 'spot fixing' if you have decided to usher in the New Year in Rajgir.

For the first time, the annual Rajgir Mahotsav would be organised for 15 days, a break from the usual three-day affair. The Mahotsav would start from December 28 and conclude on January 11.

The tourism department is trying to engage an event management firm for the annual cultural event at Rajgir, located around 110km southeast of Patna.

The department is also contemplating to invite renowned artistes to regale visitors with their performances.

'Though no invitation has been sent, talks are on to include Arijit Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan among others in the itinerary. A final list in this regard would come out within a day or two,' said a senior tourism department official.

Apart from performances by renowned artistes during the musical evenings, traditional melas, tonga race, games and folk cultural shows would be organised during the daytime at Quila Maidan, the fair venue.

Adventure sport enthusiasts would also have plenty of options. The Bihar chapter of National Adventure Foundation (NAF) is planning to offer a number of adventure sport activities during the Mahotsav.

'We have been organising adventure sport activities as a part of Rajgir Mahotsav for the past two years. This year as well, we would be organising such activities. For the first time, we are planning to conduct paragliding from Vishwa Shanti Stupa atop Ratnagiri hills to Quila Maidan. There would be parasailing, hot-air balloon and rock-climbing among others,' said Daya Shankar Mishra, the director of Bihar chapter of NAF.

The Rajgir Mahotsav is jointly organised by the tourism department and the Nalanda district administration.

The tourism department would install 50 temporary stalls at the venue and allot them among different departments, including art, culture and youth affairs, agriculture, rural development and health among others.

The Nalanda administration, too, would be organising an array of events, including palkhi sajja (decoration of bullock cart), tonga sajja (decoration of horse cart), race and dangal (wrestling).

The main roads and the government buildings in Rajgir town would be decked up with blue-light-fitted festoons for the Mahotsav. To ensure hygiene, the tourism department has made a stipulation that the selected event manager would be required to construct a total of 20 biodegradable toilets and place 30 dustbins at the venue.

In the light of the Ravan Vadh stampede in Patna, the tourism department is taking several measures for smooth crowd management.

'There would be 10 closed-circuit television cameras and four watch towers at different locations to ensure close vigil on crowd movement. The public address system would also be in place,' said a tourism department official.

Despite all sorts of preparedness by the authorities, the Rajgir Mahotsav has failed to attract foreign tourists over the years. Last year, barring a few Bengali tourists, the three-day event organised with funds of Rs 90 lakh, did not witness any mass tourist arrival.

Despite Rajgir's rich historical and cultural significance, the footfall has been low. It is believed that Rajgir was one of the most favourite destinations of Lord Buddha. It was the ancient capital of the Magadh kings until the 5th century BC when Ajatshatru shifted the capital to Patliputra.

USHER IN THRILL

• When: December 28-January 11
• Where: Quila Maidan, Rajgir, 110km east of Patna
• Entertainment: Performances by renowned singers and dance groups
• Adventure sports: Paragliding, parasailing, hot-air balloon, rock climbing
• Illumination: Blue decorative lights at the main roads, roadside trees and government buildings
• Traditional events: Tonga race, palkhi sajja (decoration of bullock cart), tonga sajja (decoration of horse cart) and dangal (wrestling)
• Crowd management: CCTV cameras and watchtowers