Bhubaneswar, Jan. 30: The ongoing Magh Saptami Mela being held at the foothills of the historic Khandagiri-Udaygiri has become a perfect getaway for those living a busy life in the city.
The annual rural fair, the jatra festival and the tribal delicacies are attracting visitors from across the state.
Hosted at the foothills of the ancient cave palace of King Kharavela, large numbers of sadhus from different parts of the country have gathered at the mela to participate in yajnas (sacred fire). The saints first take a dip in the Chandrabhaga in Konark and then take part in the yajnas. It is believed that taking a bath in the Chandrabhaga and performing the yajna at Khandagiri can relieve a person of many diseases.
'I have been a regular visitor of the Khandagiri mela as it gives me a chance to stay away from the humdrum of city life. This atmosphere of the fair provides the much-needed peace that we often crave for,' said Sudhansu Hota, a resident of Baramunda.
To cash in on the excitement surrounding the fair, several shops, selling rural products, have come up on the road connecting Khandagiri Square to the twin hills.
Lochan Mahakurh, a resident of Kiladri Vihar area, said during daytime the Khandagiri hill transforms into a spiritual place with sadhus performing yajnas. 'I visit the place to spend some quite time. Besides, the atmosphere is beautiful to visit with the families,' said the elderly man.
The organisers said every year around five lakh people from different parts of the state and the country visit the mela.
The fair that started on January 26 has already witnessed a footfall of over one lakh, said sources.
However, the most attractive event of the fair is the jatra (mobile theatre) festival. As jatra is one of the traditional theatre forms and popular mostly in the rural and semi-urban areas, the organisers here are trying to give the visitors from the city try a glimpse of this form of entertainment.
Popular troupes are performing at the mela and the their productions are based on various contemporary issues. Around 12 jatra troupes would stage their plays at six locations near Khandagiri for 12 days.
The organising committees have fixed the price of tickets and they range from Rs 80 to Rs 100.
'I used to watch jatra in my village. However, after coming to Bhubaneswar, I have not got a chance to watch any. Now, that I am here to visit the fair, I will definitely not miss the chance of watching a jatra,' said Raghunath Mohanta, a resident of Saheed Nagar.
Some people, however, are planning to watch jatras just for fun.
'I have never watched a jatra before. I guess it will be fun to catch one this time,' said Sarthak Mishra, a young engineering student.
After visiting Magh Saptami Mela, if you are still wanting for more, there is a tribal fair under way just five kilometres from here at the Adivasi ground. It started on January 26 and will continue till February 9.
Products, including jewellery and handicraft items such as dongriya shawl, comb, wooden and iron crafts of Bhatra and bamboo crafts are being sold here.
Visitors can also lay their hands on food ingredients such as badis, turmeric, fumigant, tamarind paste, pulses and cereals such as black gram, kendula, mustard and cumin seed, cinnamon and a large variety of rice.
