Banka/ Patna: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav are set to inaugurate the cultural celebrations of the Chaiti Durga Puja Festival on April 8 at Dhakamod Mela Ground in Bihar’s Banka district. The two leaders are expected to arrive by helicopter at 2pm and will address a public gathering from the main stage.
According to the organisers, preparations for the event are nearing completion, with final touches being made to the venue and stage. Sanjay Prasad Yadav, a minister in the Jharkhand government, said that the visit of the Chief Minister and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has generated considerable excitement among the youth of the region.
The Chaiti Durga Puja Festival has been celebrated in Dhakamod since 2005 and this year marks its 10th edition. The festivities will include a series of cultural and traditional events aimed at promoting regional heritage and rural talent.
A wrestling competition between well-known wrestlers from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh will be held on April 7 at 2pm, followed by a late-night Qawwali contest featuring Mumbai-based artists Arshad Kamli and Raunak Praveen.
On April 8, in addition to the wrestling, there will be horse riding and bicycle races—activities that organisers say are aimed at reviving traditional rural sports and engaging local youth.
The celebrations will culminate in a musical performance by Bhojpuri film star Khesari Lal Yadav, who will be joined by singers Anupama Yadav and Dimple Singh. The cultural night is expected to draw large crowds and will be the highlight of the festival.
