Gariyaband (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 16: The 14-day-long Rajim Maghi Punni Mela is Chhattisgarh’s largest congregation of Hindus. The ‘Punni Snan’ began in the wee hours with sadhus and common devotees venturing into the holy Prayagraj Triveni Sangam chanting “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Rajiv Locan” at the temple town of Rajim, of Gariaband district on Sunday, 5th February on the Maghi Purnima day of the lunar month of Margashirsha of the Hindu Calendar. The Sangam at Rajim is the holy confluence of rivers Mahanadi (Chitrotpala), Pairi and Sondur. The mela finally concluded on Saturday, 18th February, on Mahashivaratri day.
A sea of humanity from different corners of the state converged in the holy city for the Rajim Maghi Punni Mela, held every year at Rajim, the abode of Lord Shri Rajiv Lochan, one of the main temples of Chhattisgarh. The town of Rajim holds a significant place in Chhattisgarh’s history as the centre of devotional activities. The geographical location of Rajim Maghi Punni Mela covers various locations, mostly temples scattered around the Sangam area. The major temples include Shri Rajiv Lochan, Kuleshwar Mahadev, Dandaneshwar Mahadev, Baba Garibnath, Lomash Rishi Ashram, Rajim Bhaktin Mata Mandir, Mama-Bhancha Mandir, Rajarajeshwar, etc. All roads in Rajim were full of devotees jostling to reach the Sangam for the holy dip.
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Rajim was fully geared up to host the holy gathering of devotion. Thousands of devotees, including saints and seers, took a holy dip at the Sangam during the mela days, one after another, for which all the protective and facilitative arrangements were made along the banks of Sangam by the Gariaband District Administration. Adequate arrangements for surveillance, security and logistics were made ahead of this mega event. Hundreds of policemen and CCTV cameras kept a strict vigil at the mela venue. 14 days of round-the-clock festivities, and not a single mishap was reported during the mega event. It is noteworthy that there was no pollution in the rivers, and hygienic conditions prevailed around the mela premises.
Speaking about the prior planning and management during Rajim mela, District Collector IAS Prabhat Malik said that given the number of pilgrims coming into the area, safety is obviously a huge concern. The district administration tried to make all the possible arguments to provide facilities to pilgrims at the meal. Security was revamped at every nook and cranny of the town. The food and other stalls were organised in a way to not ensure the free passage of devotees at the mela. Traffic management and parking space were allotted as per expected footfall. Various camps like healthcare camps, tents for resting and 70 mobile toilets were installed with full maintenance by deploying 100 cleaning staff members. Full day live telecast of the mela was provided on YouTube. Furthermore a website, https://rajimmela.com/ was made in order to give all the necessary information about the fair.
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The Rajim Maghi Punni Mela was truly a memorable event that Chhattisgarh witnessed.
