Makar Sankranti 2024: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a grand state Makar Sankranti fair is organized from 14 January in Rajgir, famous for Panch hills and hot water springs. Lakhs of devotees from far-flung places and other districts gather in this eight-day fair. People take Makar Sankranti bath in the sacred hot water springs and ponds of Rajgir. This year also there is vigorous preparation for the fair. This time, not only a colorful cultural evening will be organized every evening in Makar Mela, a gathering of All India Poets will also be organized on 16th January. There are also preparations for Maha Aarti in Brahmakund on 14th January and Sant Samagam on 15th January. Different programs on different dates have been scheduled by the district administration.
All sports programs will be held in the State Guest House
All sports related programs will be organized in the State Guest House premises. Different district level coordinators have been appointed by the DM for all the events. As per the scheduled programs, Kite Festival will be organized in the State Guest House premises on 14th and 21st January. Two types of prizes will be given to those participating in this festival. One for those who bring fancy and attractive kites and the other for those who perform best in kite flying.
Football, cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, athletics events will also be organized in the State Guest House premises from 15 to 18 January. Quiz and debate competition related to children will be organized on 17th January and milch animal exhibition and agricultural product exhibition will be organized on 20th January in Youth Hostel (Mela Thana). On January 19, a gig and palanquin decoration competition will also be held in the youth hostel itself.
eat curd get reward contest
In Makar Mela, you will also get a chance to eat plenty of curd for free and will also get an opportunity to receive awards and citations. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Sudha Dahi Khao Reward Pao competition is being organized by Nalanda Dairy Biharsharif, a unit of Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Limited (COMFED), Patna. This competition will be organized on January 14 at 11:30 am at Makar Mela (Fort Ground) in Rajgir.
The one who eats the most curd will get a prize
The two people who consume the most curd in the competition will be rewarded by Nalanda Dairy and will also be given a certificate. Any person above 15 years of age can participate in this competition. Along with drinking water, sugar and jaggery will also be arranged for the participants taking part in the competition as per their needs. Registration of participants is being done to participate in the competition.
Registration on first come first serve basis
Opportunity to participate in this competition will be given on the basis of first come first serve registration. Nalanda Dairy Chief Executive PK Singha said that arrangements have been made for the participation of 100 gents and 50 women in this competition. The registered participants will be given 3 minutes time to eat curd in the competition. The first and second winners who consume the most curd during this period will be honored with prizes and citations.
Earlier, devotees used to reach Rajgir after walking for several days.
Makar Mela of Rajgir is a carrier of cultural, natural, spiritual and traditional background. Earlier, when the means of transport were not available, people from Magadha region and surrounding districts used to come on foot and by bullock cart for Makar Sankranti bath. Bathers used to camp under the trees for Makar Snan. People from rural areas used to come on foot to take bath in hot water springs and ponds and to meet their relatives. Elders tell that earlier they used to reach Rajgir after walking for several days. All his tiredness would go away after bathing in the ponds and meeting his family members.
Makar Mela was once a medium to meet family members
Earlier, the fair was the main center for meeting families. Mother-daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, aunt and uncle used to come to the fair and were happy to meet each other. Elders tell that even today they remember how the fair nights were spent at that time. Used to burn lanterns, lamps and petromax for lighting. Bonfires used to burn in the cold nights, but now in the race of modernity the form of the fair has changed. Old traditions have also become dull due to easy means of transportation.
Magadha’s grandeur is seen in Makar Mela
Makar Mela of Rajgir is a rich cultural heritage. The pride and glory of Magadha is reflected in this fair. The wonderful coordination of the common heritage of Magadha is reflected in the fair. The gurgling flow of the waterfalls, the chirping, chirping and dance music of the birds are beautiful. The fair is full of diversity.
On one hand, there are colorful cultural programs and pleasing performances of dance and music, while on the other hand, there are children’s quiz and debate competitions. Along with sports competitions like football, cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, dangal, athletics etc., there are stalls of cuisine fair, entertainment, milch cattle exhibition, exhibition of farmers’ products etc.
Departmental exhibitions are organized with the aim of making people aware of various schemes of the government. To make farmers aware of modern technology, demonstrations are conducted by officials of agriculture, agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, cattle breeding and animal husbandry.