Traditional Lanka Dahan, cultural evenings, sports competitions and wrestling bout to be major attractions
SHIMLA, October 7: The historic district-level Dussehra Mela of the Kyonthal region will be held at Jungā from October 20 to 22, with preparations for the three-day event already underway.
Presiding over a meeting of the mela committee, Jungā Tehsildar and Mela Officer Kartikeya Sharma said correspondence had been initiated with the High Court seeking permission to hold the fair at the playground of Government Senior Secondary School, Jungā. If permission is granted, the event will be organised at the traditional venue. Otherwise, the administration will identify an alternative suitable location.
Local holidays will be observed in Jungā tehsil on October 21 and 22 on the occasion of the Dussehra celebrations. As per tradition, the palanquin of Lord Raghunath will be brought from the Raj Mahal to the mela venue in a procession accompanied by traditional musical instruments. Students from various schools in the area and hundreds of local residents are expected to participate.
According to the age-old tradition of the erstwhile Kyonthal princely state, Lanka Dahan will be performed after prayers, with effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnad set ablaze.
The mela will also feature cultural programmes and sports competitions for visitors. A star night will be organised, while local schools, mahila mandals and self-help groups will get an opportunity to present cultural performances. A grand wrestling bout will be organised on the concluding day, October 22, with noted wrestlers from across North India expected to participate. The organisers are also considering competitions in kabaddi and other sports.
Sharma appealed to residents of Jungā and representatives of various panchayats to contribute generously towards the traditional fair. He said adequate financial resources would help make the event more attractive and grand. Special security arrangements will be put in place to maintain law and order during the mela. Committees have also been constituted to ensure drinking water, electricity and other essential facilities at the venue.
Naib Tehsildar Rajendra Thakur, Zila Parishad member Khush Vikram Sen, Government Senior Secondary School Jungā principal Mahesh Sharma, BDC members Seema Sen and Pankaj Sen, local panchayat pradhan Ramlal, officials from various departments and representatives of different panchayats of Jungā tehsil attended the meeting.
