Bhubaneswar: Uncertainty clouded the organisation of the famous Khandagiri Jatra in the state capital as the venue for the event is yet to be decided by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
BMC looking for alternative sites to host the famous Khandagiri Mela due to ongoing construction work for the flyover at Khandagiri square, the area is unusable.
Apart from the aforementioned impediment, the civic body is also concerned about the unprecedented crowd which ‘Khandagiri Mela’ witnesses every year.
“It will not be possible to organise the festival at the regular venue this year due to the on-going construction works. We are searching for an alternative venue this year,” said BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary.
“We have discussed with the Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner about the possible venue for the festival. There are possibilities of organising the mela by splitting the events at different locations this year,” he added.
“The final decision about the number of visitors and venue will be taken today after discussion with the organisers.”
The nine-day Khandagiri Mela begins from ‘Magha Saptami’, which this year falls on February 18. The age-old festival also known as Magha Mela is organised every year at the foothills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri mountains.
