Sodal Mela on September 27

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 21

Preparations are in full swings for the annual Baba Sodal Mela that will be held on September 27 in the city. Like yesteryears, this year too, lakhs of devotees are expected to pay their obeisance to the local deity.

The entire locality around the temple has been immersed in lighting amid playing of religious hymns on loudspeakers. Many individuals, social and religious organisations have begun to put up stalls of free community kitchens for the devotees coming from far-off places and standing in long queues since mornings. Thousands of street vendors have made makeshift shops on all the roads leading to the temple.

The District Administration will soon set up various control rooms for fire, police and medical exigencies during the week-long affair. A fully equipped team of the Fire Department with an ultra-modern motorbike equipped with powerful gas capable will also be stationed at the site to deal with any fire exigency during the fair.

The Baba Sodal Mela is held to commemorate the death anniversary of child deity Sodal. The fair is hosted on the day the child is said to have received his communion with God. Observed on the 14th of ‘Shukal Paksh’ in the month of ‘Bhadon’, which coincides with the month of September in the English calendar, the Baba Sodal Mela is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by the residents here of the city.