Monday, 05 April 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
In view of the risk of Covid-19 contagion, the Jhanda Mela concluded after the final religious rituals on Sunday. This fair is celebrated every year to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the birthday and arrival of Guru Ram Rai in Dehradun in the year 1676. This year, the Mela organisers limited the magnitude of the event due to the increasing Covid-19 positive cases in various States.
On Sunday, the last religious ritual of the occasion, the Nagar Parikrama was concluded which is organised every year on the third day after the raising of the holy flag at Shri Guru Ram Rai Darbar. The Nagar Parikrama started from the premises of Darbar Sahib at 7:30 AM along with various devotees under the guidance of Mahant Devendra Dass while chanting the Bhajans during the Parikrama. Since the route for Nagar Parikrama was shortened this time due to the pandemic, the devotees along with the Mahant passed through various localities including Bhandari Chowk, Darshani Gate, Lakkhibagh, Saharanpur Chowk and the Samadhi place of Mahant before returning to the Darbar Sahib premises.
Since the recreational activities of the fair were cancelled by the organisers due to the surge in Covid-19 cases, the Jhanda Mela concluded in the three days whereas it is generally celebrated till the festival of Ramnavami. With the end of the Mela, various devotees who had arrived from other districts and States returned after taking blessings from the Mahant. Addressing the devotees on the last day, Mahant thanked all the residents of Doon and devotees for contributing to the successful conduct of Jhanda Mela. He urged people to follow Covid-19 guidelines set by the government in order to restrict the contagion in the country.
