Rajgir: Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the Malmas Fair in Rajgir on Sunday at the Brahmakund complex, marking the beginning of one of Bihar’s largest religious gatherings held once every three years. Priests conducted Vedic rituals and installed the ceremonial Dharma Dhwaj in the presence of devotees, saints and officials.
The fair will continue until June 15 and is expected to attract several lakh devotees over the next month. Officials said pilgrims from across India, along with visitors from countries including Nepal and Sri Lanka, are expected to visit Rajgir for ritual bathing and worship during the sacred period of Malmas.
Ritual Bathing At Sacred Springs
The centre of the fair remains Rajgir’s 22 sacred kunds and 52 natural streams, where devotees gather for ritual bathing. Hindu belief associates the springs with purification, and many pilgrims consider a dip during Malmas to hold special religious significance.
Three major Shahi Snans are scheduled during the month. On ordinary days, thousands visit the bathing sites, but district officials said the number rises sharply during the royal bathing dates, with an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 devotees expected on each occasion.
Saints Gather For Religious Observance
The start of the fair has brought a large number of ascetics and spiritual leaders to the town. Naga sadhus, saints and representatives of various akharas have begun arriving, adding to the religious gatherings around the temple complexes and hot springs.
The atmosphere in Rajgir has become centred on prayers, devotional songs and religious ceremonies, as pilgrims gather for worship linked to the Adhimas period. Religious organisations said the fair remains one of the most significant spiritual gatherings in eastern India during the additional month in the Hindu calendar.
Accommodation And Public Facilities
Bihar Department of Tourism and the Nalanda district administration have set up accommodation and public facilities at 14 locations across Rajgir. Authorities said the arrangements were expanded because of expected high temperatures and the large number of visitors.
Temporary shelters using German hangar structures have been installed at 11 locations, while additional passenger shelters are operational at three sites. A VIP Tent City has also been prepared at the State Guest House grounds, with accommodation for around 6,000 people. Officials said drinking water, restrooms, cooling systems, lighting and CCTV surveillance have been arranged across the fair area.
