Bhubaneswar: The famous Magha Mela at Khandagiri-Udayagiri hills in Odisha capital here is all set to kick off on February 16.
However, opera (Jatra) troupes will start staging plays at the fair from February 18, sources said.
The opera shows will continue till February 29. At least 13 opera troupes will stage their plays at this year’s Magha Mela at Khandagiri, sources added.
Popular opera troupes Saisamrat, Gouri, Suryamandir, Durgamandir, Shivani, Ashok Samrat, Swarna Mahal, Konark, Swarna Mandir, Kalinga and Tulasi are scheduled to stage their plays at the fair.
Several cultural organisations including Sanatana Seva Sadan, Maa Mangala Sanskrutika Yuva Parishad, Jayadurga Sanskrutika Parishad, Maa Mangala Natya Sansad, Harekrushna Mahtab Pandal, Niladri Sai Jatra Committee, Indira Sanskrutika Mandap and Nilakantheswar Jatra Committee will provide infrastructure support to the opera troupes to stage their plays, sources said.
The authorities of mutts at Khandagir have already started preparations for the annual Magha Mela. They have urged the state government to provide financial assistance for the smooth conduct of the fair.
“We have been organizing the Magha Mela at Khandagiri on our own since last many years. The state government should come forward to provide financial aid to this religious congregation,” said a mutt pontiff.
