- Mandsaur mela is an annual fair that is held in the city of Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, India, in the month of November. [It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his manifestation as Pashupatinath, the lord of animals]
- Pashupatinath temple is the main attraction of the mela. It is an ancient temple that dates back to the 5th or 6th century CE and is known for its eight-faced Shiva linga, which is carved out of a single stone and has four faces on each side. The linga is about 2.5 meters high and 1.5 meters wide and is considered to be one of the largest and rarest in India.
- Mandsaur inscriptions are a series of ten Sanskrit inscriptions that were found near the Pashupatinath temple and are dated between 404 and 487 CE. They are among the longest and most beautiful of the Gupta era inscriptions and reveal the history, culture and religion of the region. They also mention the names of Gupta kings, such as Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I and Skandagupta, as well as local rulers, such as Bandhuvarman and Prakashadharma.
- Mandsaur mela attracts lakhs of devotees and tourists every year who come to worship the Shiva linga, take a dip in the Shivna river, witness the cultural programs and enjoy the various stalls and rides at the fair ground. The mela lasts for about 20 days and culminates on Kartik Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik.
- Mandsaur mela is also known for its animal fair, where thousands of cattle, horses, camels, goats and other animals are brought for sale and purchase. The animal fair is held on a large ground near the Pashupatinath temple and is one of the biggest in India. The animals are decorated with colorful ornaments and accessories and are traded at high prices
- Mandsaur mela is also famous for its silk industry, which has been flourishing since ancient times. The silk weavers of Mandsaur are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and quality products. They produce various types of silk fabrics, such as patola, bandhani, brocade, etc., which are in high demand in India and abroad. The silk weavers also contribute to the development of the Pashupatinath temple by donating a part of their income to the temple trust.
- Mandsaur mela is also a hub for cultural activities, such as music, dance, drama, folk art, etc. The mela showcases the rich and diverse heritage of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, as Mandsaur is located near the border of these two states. The mela also invites artists from other parts of India and abroad to perform at various stages set up at the fair ground. Some of the popular attractions of the mela are bhajan sandhya, kavi sammelan, qawwali, puppet show, magic show, etc.
- Mandsaur mela is also a place for social service and charity, as many organizations and individuals participate in various welfare activities during the mela. Some of these activities include free medical camps, blood donation camps, eye donation camps, food distribution camps, etc. The mela also provides employment opportunities to many local people who work as vendors, helpers, security guards, etc. at the fair ground.
- Mandsaur mela is also a place for adventure and fun, as many thrilling rides and games are available at the fair ground for the visitors. Some of these rides include giant wheel, merry-go-round, roller coaster, break dance, boat ride, etc. The fair ground also has many stalls selling food items, handicrafts, toys, clothes, etc., which cater to different tastes and preferences of the visitors.
- Mandsaur mela is also a place for spirituality and devotion, as many rituals and ceremonies are performed at the Pashupatinath temple during the mela. Some of these rituals include abhishekam (ritual bathing) of the Shiva linga with milk, water, honey, etc., aarti (ritual waving of lamps), prasad (offering of food), rudrabhishekam (chanting of hymns), etc. The devotees also offer flowers, fruits, sweets, etc. to the Shiva linga and seek his blessings.
- Mandsaur mela is also a place for history and archaeology, as many ancient and medieval monuments and artifacts are found in and around the Pashupatinath temple and the mela area. Some of these monuments and artifacts include the Dashavatara temple, which is a 10th century temple dedicated to Vishnu and his ten incarnations, the Hinglajgarh fort, which is a 11th century fort built by the Paramara kings, the Torana gate, which is a 12th century gateway with intricate carvings, the Mandsaur pillar, which is a 5th century pillar with Brahmi inscriptions, etc.
- Mandsaur mela is also a place for education and awareness, as many seminars and workshops are organized at the mela to spread knowledge and information on various topics, such as health, environment, culture, etc. The mela also hosts exhibitions and competitions on various themes, such as art, science, literature, etc., to encourage creativity and talent among the visitors. The mela also invites eminent personalities from different fields to share their experiences and insights with the audience.
- Mandsaur mela is also a place for harmony and unity, as people from different religions, castes, regions, languages, etc., come together to celebrate the mela. The mela promotes a sense of brotherhood and solidarity among the visitors and fosters a spirit of tolerance and respect for diversity. The mela also showcases the syncretic culture of Mandsaur, which has been influenced by Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, etc., over the centuries.
- Mandsaur mela is also a place for innovation and development, as many new initiatives and projects are launched at the mela to improve the infrastructure and facilities of the mela area. Some of these initiatives and projects include installing solar panels for power generation, setting up bio-toilets for sanitation, developing smart parking systems for convenience, etc. The mela also adopts various eco-friendly measures to reduce pollution and waste generation at the fair ground
- Mandsaur mela is also a place for tradition and continuity, as the mela has been held for centuries and has preserved its original charm and glory. The mela follows the same rituals and customs that have been passed down from generation to generation. The mela also maintains its unique identity and character that distinguishes it from other fairs and festivals in India. The mela also attracts visitors from far and wide who come to experience the magic and splendor of the mela every year.
Source: agriculture-aajtak