Faith conquers fear as devotees throng in flood-hit Mela Chhapar in Ludhiana

Faith conquered fear on the first day of Mela Chhapar when thousands of devotees thronged the Guga Mari Mandir at the historic village near here to worship a snake, the embodiment of Nag Devta.

Though the Punjab government has declared all the districts of the state as flood-hit, devotees started paying obeisance at the shrine early in the morning and enjoyed food at vends.

Owners and organisers of merry-go-rounds, mini circuses and fun-rides did brisk business on the first day, known as ‘Chowki’ that is traditionally reserved for women and children.

The police, still busy planning security arrangements, found it difficult to control the unexpectedly large gathering during the daytime.

Being one of the largest rural fairs of North India, groups of devotees were seen digging the earth early in the morning as part of rituals to honour the snake diety. Women outnumbered men till noon after which the balance shifted.

Rigging earlier apprehension about organization of the mega event, a large number of merry-go-rounds, funfair stalls, vends of eatables and toys had started conducting business before the onset of the fair.

Political leaders, who had earlier announced to hold state level conferences of their outfits during Mela Chhapar have now declared to withdraw their earlier decision on conferences, due to floods in the state.

The CPI (M) state chief Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon said the arrangements for the conferences, which were earlier started under the guidance of Ludhiana District Secretary Baljit Shahi and Malerkotla District Secretary Abdul Sattar, have now been stopped. “Keeping in view the deteriorating flood situation in the state we have decided that our workers will share responsibility of rescue operations in flood hit areas instead of convening a conference during Mela Chhapar,” said Sekhon.

The Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and BJP have also announced the cancellation of the Chhapar conference.