Bhubaneswar, Jan. 20: Preparations are on in full swing for the annual Magha Saptami Mela, popularly known as the Khandagiri mela that takes off from January 26 in the foothills of Khandagiri.

The fair, which is known for its jatra performances, will conclude on February 8. The troupes, which will number around 12 this time, will start performing from January 28.

As part of the preparations for the fair, a joint eviction drive was conducted by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority, the general administration department and the city police along the road connecting Khandagiri Square with the twin hills famous for the historic caves with the inscription of king Kharavela.

'Makeshift shops will be set up along the road for the fair and it needs to be cleared of encroachment,' said an official.

Local councillor Aswini Sundaray said preparations for the fair, which draws people from near and far, were on track with just a week left for the show to begin.

'The BMC will set up temporary kiosks along the road connecting Khandagiri Square with the hills for vendors who will set up their business here for the duration of the fair. The auction for kiosks has already begun. Around 350 to 400 stalls will come up,' said the councillor.

BMC officials said two-wheelers would be allowed to park in front of the Khandagiri police station and the space on the service road in front of Rajbhog hotel. Other free spaces would also be used for parking two and three-wheelers.

Four-wheelers would have space for parking at the new bus stand behind the twin hills and the road circling the hills.

Jatra performances will be held at six different places in the vicinity of the hills. Makeshift pandals are being set up for this purpose. While the Mahatab Cultural Association will host three different opera troupes, Sanatan Seva Samiti will organise two jatras. Barabhuja and Mangala clubs will have two opera parties each while Indira Sanskrutik Committee will host one party.

There will be two troupes performing at the Melan field near Jagamara village for the first time.

Sachidanand, Viswa Darbar, Tulsi Ganantya, Biswa Janani, Viswa Rangamanch, Parvati, Baghajatin, Shivani, Konark, Kalinga, Easter Blue and Eastern Red troupes are going to perform this time. Mahatab Cultural Association have already started building the makeshift pandals with workers having arrived from Calcutta for the purpose.

Manabendra Boiragi, a worker from Calcutta, said a five-member team had been deployed by the organisers to set up the pandal and it would have seating arrangements for around 6,000 people. 'We have been working through the night to finish the work as soon as possible. We come here every year to set up the pandal,' said Boiragi.

The other organising committees said the erection of pandals would begin in a day or two.

'These jatras attract a large number of people and provide city residents a platform to watch this popular form of theatre. We are hoping for a good response,' Raghunath Mohanty, president of Maa Mangala Sanskrutik Yuva Parishad.

Mayor Anant Narayan Jena said that preparations were going smoothly with the BMC officials keeping watch.

'We are trying to ensure that people visiting the fair enjoy themselves. We will hold meetings with the police to look into other aspects of the preparation for the show in the coming days,' said Jena.