Magadh commissioner RK Khandelwal at the Bodh Mahotsav meeting in Gaya on Monday. Picture by Suman

Gaya, Jan. 14: This year’s Bodh Mahotsav promises to be bigger, better and cleaner than ever before.

International performers and child artistes from eight countries are set to sweep you off your feet at the three-day fest. Apart from the Bollywood music touch by Alka Yagnik, a book fair and a food fest have been lined up. Games, too, would be organised for women and kids.

This is the first time that the urban development and housing department has provided funds (Rs 50 lakh) to the Bodhgaya nagar panchayat for the fest starting on January 22. On earlier occasions, the civic body had been arranging the money from its own resources. The money would be used for illumination and sanitation purposes.

Bodhgaya nagar panchayat chairperson Preeti Singh told The Telegraph that lights would be put up from Domuhan to Kalchakra Maidan and Verma Mor. “A platform would be constructed towards the southern end of the Kalchakra Maidan (the venue of the event). Cleanliness arrangements would be made in and around Bodhgaya. There would be potable water kiosks and mobile toilets for the tourists. Extra labourers would be pressed into service to maintain hygiene. A large number of foreign tourists would be here and we want them to return with a positive impression of the holy city,” she said.

On the funds from the urban development and housing department, she said: “We have been demanding funds from the department not only for Bodh Mahotsav but for other events as well. It is for the first time that the department has made available the amount with the efforts of Gaya district magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal. The civic body has spent huge amounts on making arrangements during events in Bodhgaya in the past from its own resources without any reimbursement.”

At present, preparations are being made on a war footing to ensure success of the event. For the first time, a book fair would be organised. Leading publishers like Penguin, Raj Kamal Prakashan, Gita Press, Pustak Mahal, Lokbharti Prakashan, HarperCollins and others would set up their stalls.

Book fair coordinator Kundan Kumar said it is being organised in coordination with the district administration and entry would be free. A food festival, too, would be organised. Sweets such as khaja of Silao (Nalanda), laddoo of Maner and other delicacies from different parts of the state would be available.

On Saturday, district magistrate-cum-Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal conducted an inspection of the Kalchakra Maidan. He said chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi would inaugurate the Mahotsav on January 22 evening. Apart from Bollywood singer Alka Yagnik, who would perform at the inaugural session, international and child artistes from eight countries would also display their talents.

“The website of BTMC has been re-designed with facilities of online donation,” DM Sanjay said.