Week-long annual Baba Sidh Goria mela begins at Swankha

Vishal Jasrotia

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Samba, June 28

A traditional week-long annual mela at the famous shrine of Baba Sidh Goria at Swankha in Samba district commenced today. Thousands of devotees from different parts of the state as well as from others states such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pardesh participated in the mela on the first day.

Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Prakash Ganga inaugurated the mela and prayed to Baba Sidha Goria for the peace and prosperity of the country. He also reviewed the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the mela.

He congratulated people and said shrines were a part of our proud heritage and we must strive to preserve our social and cultural ethos.

“Such events play a pivotal role in maintaining brotherhood, peace and prosperity,” he added.

Thousands of devotees started pouring in on the premises of the temple since early morning and were seen waiting curiously for their turn to pay obeisance. Despite sweltering heat, unending lines of devotees were seen throughout the day and about 1 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance on the first day of the fair.

“We come to pray at Baba Sidh Goria shrine during the mela every year. I feel very good after coming here and whatever blessings we seek, it gets fulfilled,” said Darshana Devi, a devotee from Punjab.

“We took bath at the holy pond, known to have healing powers. It is believed that by taking a bath at the pond, people get rid of several skin diseases,” she added.

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the mela such as uninterrupted power, safe drinking water, sanitation, medicare, additional buses for facilitating movement of pilgrims, traffic regulation and security.