The Bodh Mahotsav in January next year would have a book fair and a Mahila Utsav for the first time.

Dates of the three-day event are yet to be finalised. Sources said it would be held at the Kalchakra Maidan in Bodhgaya, around 200m northwest of Mahabodhi Mahavihara, between January 20 and 24.

While the Mahila Utsav would be organised on the first day, the book fair will continue for a week.

Gaya district magistrate-cum-Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal on Monday held a meeting where he invited suggestions from the Bodhgaya Nagar Panchayat chairperson and vice-chairman and stakeholders such as representatives of monasteries, hoteliers, tour and travel operators.

He directed the officials to send invitation to all districts of Bihar and other states for setting up stalls to give foreign tourists an opportunity to get a glimpse of the art and culture of the country.

“The names of the artistes who would perform during the Mahotsav have not been finalised yet. Local artistes would also get an opportunity. I have requested the monastery representatives to keep open their establishments till 7pm so that more tourists can visit the town at that time,” Agarwal said. Now, the gates of the monasteries remain open till 6pm.

The dates of the Bodh Mahotsav keep changing. The tourism department wants the festival to coincide with other annual Buddhist events in Bodhgaya, but change in the dates concerned make it difficult to plan the Bodh Mahotsav accordingly.