Bihar Divas 2017 will centre around the state's connect with Mahatma Gandhi in the centenary year of Champaran Satyagrah - a mammoth stage depicting the prime theme of de-addiction and a huge replica of Bhitiharwa Ashram - on Gandhi Maidan on March 22, 23 and 24.

The backdrop of the 120ftx80ft main stage will display a human chain with replicas of boys and girls holding hands amid stars and sunflower petals to symbolise night and day prohibition.

Ever since chief minister Nitish Kumar introduced prohibition in Bihar a year ago, he has been dedicating the ban on alcohol to the Father of the Nation to mark the Champaran Satyagraha centenary. The stage will portray his deep regard for Bapu.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the event. The Divas celebrations (see chart) will be part of the grandiose plans for the centenary of Gandhi's arrival in Bihar and the launch of the Satyagraha in 1917.

The yearlong celebrations will start with an international seminar on the life of Bapu in Patna.

Kaushal Kishore, an education department official overseeing the preparations of the stage at Gandhi Maidan on Sunday, said: "Day and night prohibition will be depicted through stars and sunflowers. As the Bihar government has set a record by making the longest human chain in support of prohibition on January 21, the main stage is themed on that too."

Lakhs of people had come together on January 21 to stitch a human chain stretching more than 11,000km across 38 districts.

A hut-shaped replica of Bhitiharwa Ashram made of jute and bamboo spread across 60,000sqft will come up on the Maidan with six entrances. Amiya Ranjan, the architect of the ashram, said: "Inside the structure, pictures and writings will depict Gandhi's journey from South Africa to Champaran, where he led a movement against indigo plantation."

Giving an insight into Bapu's connect with Bhitiharwa, Razi Ahmad, eminent Gandhian and secretary of Gandhi Sangrahalaya (Patna), said: "Bhitiharwa Ashram is a place in West Champaran's Gaunaha block, where Gandhi had stayed during the Champaran Satyagrah in 1917. It used to be an important centre of activities. He set up two ashrams in Bihar, which were also centres of education and health - in Dacca near Motihari and in Bhitiharwa. Kasturba Gandhi used to stay at Bhitiharwa Ashram along with her disciples."

Preparations are on in full swing for the Divas. The function is held every year to mark 100 years of carving out of Bihar from the Bengal Presidency in 1912.

The government started to celebrate the day in a big way from 2011.

Stalls and pavilions will showcase the rich culture of Bihar. A number of cultural shows, forums and laser shows will be held.

Several artistes, including Bollywood playback singers Sunidhi Chauhan, Aakriti Kakkar and classical singer Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, will perform during the event.

While Sunidhi will perform on March 22 on the main stage at Gandhi Maidan, folk singer Malini Awasthi and singer Aakriti Kakkar will perform on March 23 and 24 respectively.

Stalls will spread awareness about prohibition and its benefits. The agriculture department will set up a stall to showcase the production and benefits of neera (unfermented palm sap).

Meanwhile, the entry of people inside Gandhi Maidan has been restricted.