Khandagiri Mela in Bhubaneswar To Kick Off From Today

Bhubaneswar:28/1/23: After two long years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Khandagiri fair is starting today in the state Capital Bhubaneswar. The fair will continue till February 10.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is rolling up its sleeves to organise the fair and will soon prepare a Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for the smooth conduct of the annual event. BMC Mayor Sulochana Das chaired a preparatory meeting recently and issued fresh guidelines for opera groups, stall owners and visitors.

Opera groups have to make sure that the names of their plays do not hurt anyone’s sentiments. The plays should not include any form of sexual, intimate, or instigating dance moves. The dance parties have been refrained from using high volume by the BMC.

The opera owners have been advised to engage security guards and volunteers to safeguard their actors. The organisers of opera shows have also been advised to install CCTV cameras to check on anti-social elements. All the opera party owners, vendors and stall owners are required to obtain NOC from BMC, police and fire department well ahead of time.

There will be no parking on the roadside and any deviation will attract fine, while there will also be a sound limit fixed for the shows. Only five jatra pandals will be constructed this year.