Preparations for the traditional Khilkadamtala Chandi Lilahati Mela on the occasion of Dol Purnima
Shanta Burman, Jateshwar: Every year on the occasion of Dol Purnima, Leelahati Mela is organized at Khilkadamtala Chandi of Dhanirampur 2 village panchayat of Falakatta block. This year the fair is starting from March 10. Will continue till March 19. From the beginning of the fair, the special attraction is the various fun exhibitions made of clay dolls. This fair is the 68th year organized by the Smriti Sangh Mela Committee. Apart from the fair, various cultural programs including kirtan and lost songs of folk culture are performed in the fair. Preparations for the Dol Utsav are going on in full swing this time as well.
According to Melacommittee and local sources, this fair was started in the year 1957 at the Dhanirampur Khilkadam floor with the songs of Gorakhnath by the initiative of folk culture lovers of Dhanirampur area. At first, the founders of this fair were Chandicharan Roy, Rajkumar Roy, Purnachandra Roy, Kaminikumar Roy, Hemcharan Roy, Bhabenendra Roy, principal of Dhanirampur. Later Chandicharan Roy and Rajkumar Roy donated land for fairs and temples. In Dhanirampur village where this fair was conducted there was a big khilkadam tree. That’s why the fair was named Khilkadamtalar fair. Later, the name of the land owner and patron Chandicharan Roy was associated with the name of the fair. Since the special attraction of this fair from the beginning is various fun fairs with idols made of clay, so the full name of the fair is Khilkadmatlar Chandir Lilahati Mela. Apart from Lilapradarshani, Gitapatha, Namakirtan and various cultural programs will be held for ten days. Kantheshwar Barman, a famous potter from North Bengal, has been exhibiting at the Lilahati Mela for a long time. Saghendranath Roy, the president of the fair committee, said that the administration and common people cooperated in this traditional fair of Dhanirampur 2 area and will do so again this time. Gajendranath Roy, editor of the fair committee, said, ‘This fair is the tradition of Dhanirampur.’
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