Amid tight security, Maghi Mela gets underway in Muktsar
Muktsar, January 13
To reconnect people with history, the district administration this year has taken a step to organise “Sarbansdani light and sound programme” during the Maghi Mela on January 14 and 15 here. The Punjab Theatre Group will perform during this event, which is free for everyone.
Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Ruhee Dugg said, “A light and sound show is being organised for the first time here to inform the public about our history, importance of this mela and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh at Guru Gobind Singh Park here.”
Meanwhile, Muktsar MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar today inaugurated the three-day ‘Hunar Haat’ at Guru Gobind Singh Park here, which is also a first of its kind here. The artisans and some self-help groups have exhibited their handicrafts and traditional products for sale here.
Further, a circus, swings, etc have been installed by a private company on Malout Road here. A Punjab horse show was also organised at Sadarwala village here which concluded yesterday. Besides, a horse market has been set up at Lambi Dhabh village here, where horses from not just Punjab, but states like Maharashtra, Gujarat too have come.
The hustle and bustle of Maghi Mela has started and all gurdwaras in the town are illuminated and religious ceremonies are underway. Besides, ‘langars’ are being organised for the public at a number of places. Further, ‘nihangs’ and devotees are thronging here. The administration has this year decided to make this event free from plastic trash and has not allowed the use of disposable plastic products to serve ‘langar’ items.
Meanwhile, SAD will hold its political conference at the SGPC ground on Malout road here on January 14. The party’s women wing also held an all-women first-ever rally on January 12.
SAD (Amritsar) will also hold a rally at Dera Bhai Mastan Singh here. Besides, Tarksheel Society will hold its annual event. Like in the past few years, AAP, Congress and BJP are not holding any political rally. However, senior leaders of these parties may come to pay obeisance at the historic gurdwaras here.
In 2017, Akal Takht jathedar had asked all political parties not to organise conference during melas, but SAD has been organising it since then saying that the appeal was only for Shaheedi Jor Mela.
The district police have made tight security arrangements for the Maghi Mela (January 13-15) as nearly 4,500 cops have been deployed here. Muktsar SSP Bhagirath Singh Meena said that four police commandants, eight SPs and 21 DSPs have been deployed to ensure fool-proof security arrangements. The district magistrate has ordered that all liquor vends and meat shops would remain closed from January 13 midnight to January 14 midnight in Muktsar town.
Notably, Maghi is observed every year on January 14 (next day of Lohri) and a three-day mela is organised here in this historic town to commemorate the 40 Muktas, who laid down their lives while fighting the last battle of Sikhs against the Mughals in 1705 here, earlier known as ‘Khidrane di dhab’.
