CM opens Malmas Mela in Rajgir amid tight security

Biharsharif: CM Samrat Choudhary on Sunday inaugurated the monthlong Malmas Mela at Rajgir with Vedic chants and ceremonial flag hoisting at the Brahmakund complex.

The Brahmakund area, Rajgir Zoo Safari, the helipad zone and other key congregation points were declared no-fly zones during Samrat’s visit. After inaugurating the fair, Samrat reviewed arrangements for pilgrims and later visited the zoo safari and Nature Safari Rajgir.

Organised jointly by the Nalanda district administration and the state tourism department, the fair will continue till June 15. The event features three royal bathing occasions at Rajgir’s 22 hot water kunds and 52 streams, attracting devotees, saints and monks from across India as well as Nepal and Sri Lanka.

At the zoo safari, Samrat watched the animated film The Wild Call, which showcases India’s biodiversity and climate change through the journey of lion and tiger cubs. Produced by Bihar’s environment, forest and climate change department and directed by Naveendh S Fareed and Azharuddin Sulaiman, the film recently received the Certificate of Excellence for Best Animation at the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival.

The film features 23 wildlife species, including the Indian elephant and Great Indian Bustard. Officials handed over the award certificate to the chief minister during the visit.

Samrat also visited the glass bridge at the nature safari and toured the zoo safari in a closed vehicle, observing lions, tigers and other wild animals. At the wildlife hospital, he reviewed treatment facilities and named a lion cub “Lakshmi”.

More than 5,000 police personnel have been deployed for the mela, while 550 CCTV cameras and integrated control rooms are monitoring the area round the clock, officials said.

To help pilgrims cope with the heat, authorities have set up 14 accommodation centres, including 11 German hanger-style waterproof tents. Around 250 Gangajal taps, mist fans, sprinklers and nearly 1,000 temporary toilets have also been installed.

Samrat also inaugurated a free health camp near Brahmakund, temporary accommodation facilities and “Didi Ki Rasoi”, which will provide subsidised meals to devotees during the fair.

Deputy chief ministers Vijay Sinha and Vijay Kumar Choudhary, rural development minister Shravan Kumar, tourism minister Kedar Prasad Gupta, Nalanda MP Kaushalendra Kumar, Nalanda district magistrate Kundan Kumar, former MLA Sunil Kumar, former MLC Raju Yadav and other senior officials were present on the occasion.