Two-day Jayanti Devi fair draws huge crowds

The two-day Jayanti Devi fair concluded with gaiety and fervour at Jayanti Majri village in Mullanpur today. Pilgrims from near and far come in droves to pay their obeisance to the local deity. The Jayanti Devi temple, perched atop a hilltop with more than 100 narrow steps to the shrine, saw thousands of pilgrims partaking langar today afternoon.

Devotees soaked in sights and sounds of the fair had a breath-taking view of the New Chandigarh area from atop the hill. Families with newborn babies had come to seek blessings of the Devi for their kids.

The highlight of the first day was the annual “Chinjj” organised during the mela. Youths and elderly gathered at the village ground to witness the earthen wrestling matches. An amount of Rs 1 lakh was earmarked as prize for the “Jhandi wali kushti”, which was the top draw among various weight categories.

Local wrestling enthusiast and Mullanpur resident Rohit Sharma said, “Close to 50 wrestlers from different districts of the state had gathered to pit against each other as drumbeats rose and fell according to moves of the sweat-smeared and earth-baked pehalwans.”

Langar (community kitchen) witnesses thousands of devotees breaking bread together after bowing their head in front of the revered Jayanti Devi.

Seeing the enthusiasm among pilgrims from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking had ensured a bus service from the UT to the village after every 20 minutes.

Swings, toys, trinkets, sweetmeats and household items were on sale during the fair. Area councillor Harmesh Nattu of Ward No. 2 said, “Like every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the fair. Close to 50,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the temple.”