Patna: State tourism minister Pramod Kumar and state revenue and land reforms minister Ram Narayan Mandal inaugurated the three-day Mandar Mahotsav in Banka district on Sunday.

The event witnessed congregation of Hindu, Jains and followers of Shafa dharma who belong to a group of tribals that abstain from drinking and non-vegetarian food. A large number of farmers take part in the festival to exhibit their produce.

Pramod said his department was committed to the development of area from the tourism point of view. Implementation of two projects - one worth Rs 53 crore and another worth Rs 18 crore - will woo more tourists, he said.

Mandal said his department will take steps to declare the event a national-level fair like the Sonepur fair.

Among the new additions to the fair is live demonstration of useful things for farmers. "We have put on display a treadle pump developed by IIT-Bombay, which is of great use for drip irrigation. Similarly, two farmers from Banka who trained in Odisha in artificial pearl cultivation will demo the process," said Banka district magistrate Kundan Kumar. "The process of silk-making right from the cocoon stage to silk-weaving is on display. Separate stalls have been set up where women would display mushroom culture."

A sand art piece showcases the drive against dowry and child marriage.

A Gram Shree Mela will be held in which artisans from 10 states, including Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, will sell their items. A food zone is another attraction.

There will also be cultural programmes and sports events including archery, volleyball, badminton and wrestling competitions.

"To ensure that visitors don't face any trouble, new roads were constructed and a new drainage system was also put in place," said the Banka DM and added that mobile teams of sanitation staff will keep the venue clean.