Bounsi Mela begins on January 14
By Avijit Biswas
Banka: The five-day Mandar Mahotsav popularly referred as Bounsi Mela officially started today at foot of Mandar hill located in Bounsi block of this district. The first day of mela was marked by huge turnout of people.
A major rural fair of this region in which people from this part of state beside adjoining Santhal Pargana district of Jharkhand participate in large number begins every year on Makar Sankranti day.
The Mela is organized by tourism department of state government and district administration jointly since it was accorded status of state fair in 2018. An attractive agricultural exhibition is held on the occasion.
Organized since decades, the basic concept of Mela depicting rural culture and tradition of this region and also adjoining areas of Jharkhand, remains unchanged though new additions have been made in entertainment segment to make the mela more attractive and entertaining.
Reflections of both tribal and non-tribal cultures can be found in the mela. Mythologically it is believed taking dip in Papharni Sarovar located at foot of Mandar Hill on Makar Sankranti day relieves people of sin.
Taking into consideration the mythological belief, large number of people who participate in the mela makes it a point to take a dip in Papharni Sarovar. In fact, people from different places apart from locals on occasion of Makar Sankranti assemble at Papharni for taking dip in the pond before participating in the fair.
As per tradition Madhusudan Sobha yatra also part of the fair was organized today. On Makar Sankranti day the yatra is organized every year. Starting from Madhusudan temple in Bounsi the yatra went up to Mandar hill.
The followers of Safa dharma are also among participants in the mela. The Safa dharma it is said was propounded by saint Chandler Das in 1946. On occasion of Makar Sankranti, followers of the dharma who arrive here in large number from Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh beside other states does parikrama of Mandar hill.
The Mandar Hill being important religious place for followers of different religions including Jain dharma, adds to the uniqueness of the fair. As per locals earlier in past people from bordering rural areas of Jharkhand, West Bengal and this state used to assemble at the foots of Mandar Hill post- harvest for participating in the fair.
Since Bounsi Mela is primarily an agriculture fair, the mela extends opportunity to farmers of showcasing their agricultural produce. A Krishi Bhawan constructed for the purpose near venue of mela, was inaugurated few years back. Cultural programmes and sports activities is scheduled during mela.
Though mela would officially conclude after five days however unofficially the mela would continue for a fortnight. The mela was jointly inaugurated by Girdhari Yadav, MP and MLA’s Ram Naryan Mandal, Manish Kumar, Manoj Yadav, Jayant Raj and Puran Lal Tuddu. A traditional lamp was lighted on the occasion by dignitaries to mark beginning of the fair.
About the Author
Avijit Biswas is a former reporter with the Hindustan Times, Patna Edition, based in Bhagalpur. He has more than 25 years of experience covering politics and other key beats across eastern Bihar. Known for his in-depth ground reporting and strong grasp of regional issues, Biswas has closely followed political developments and social trends in the region, earning credibility for accurate and balanced journalism.
About the Author
