Patna, Oct. 21: Japanese punctuality ? rather the tendency of Bihar?s political masters to delay ? will be put to test at the three-day Rajgir Mahotsav, which begins at the historical site, 102 km from the capital, on Sunday.

The dates for the culture festival organised by the tourism department are set to coincide with the anniversary function at the Rajgir Shanti Stupa, held annually on October 25 and attended by a large number of Japanese tourists. The government always reserves seats at the fest for the Japanese and does not forget to garland them, lest it misses a great photo-op.

The Japanese are known for their impeccable timing. But the festival organisers cannot do without the never-ending speeches of the dignitaries, mainly politicians. It invariably happens that the Japanese find sitting through these feel-good lectures too taxing as the schedule goes for a toss. They start to leave by 8 in the night.

There is little reason why the festival this year would be any different. ?It is a good cultural show. But the real objective of promoting tourism in Bihar and Rajgir as a destination suffers. Politicians and bureaucrats occupy most of the hotel rooms. Local residents line up for the show but very few real tourists attend,? sources in the tourism department said.

Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons ? Amaan Bangash and Ayaan Bangash ? are the star attractions this year. So are kathak danseuse Nandita Puri, semi-classical vocalist Gulam Mustafa Khan and bhajan singer Arvind Yogi. Chhau dancers from Purulia and Rajasthani Beda Ras folk dancers will also perform.

Tourism minister Ashok Singh claimed that the festival being organised since several years has been a ?great success?. ?We try to bring international performers at the festival. The presence of Amjad Ali Khan and Nandita Puri will attract people,? he said.

The fund at the department?s disposal for the mahotsav is meagre ? an aggregate of just over Rs 10 lakh. This is too little when compared to extravaganzas like Khajuraho festival. ?Of the Rs 10 lakh, more than half goes for paying the artistes. The other half is utilised for making arrangements like pandals, acoustics and stage. Little is left for promoting the event,? the sources added.

The Centre grants some money for the festival as it does for the Sonepur fair, held in November. But officials said a minimum of Rs 50 lakh is required for making the festival a ?national affair?, if not an international event.

Last year?s show was dampened by rain and torrential wind. The number of visitors was low and poor management also took its toll. The main entrance also gave in, causing injury to a policeman.

Rajgir falls on the ?Buddhist tourist circuit?, along with Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Sarnath and Kushinagar. The tourism minister said the ?Sufi circuit? in Bihar had also received a boost with the government sanctioning Rs 4 crore for road upgradation.

The Sufi circuit encompasses destinations like Patna, Maner, Sasaram and Amjharsharif. But the tourist flow ? mainly of Muslims ? has been low due to poor infrastructure and law and order problems. ?The upgradation of roads in the circuit will help in increasing the number of visitors. We intend to specially popularise this circuit,? he said.