A Village Fair
Every year in the first week of May, soon after Holt a big fair is held near our village. It is held in memory of a Hindu saint, who had worked hard for the uplift of the nearby villages. His Samadhi is just outside our village at a distance of about half a mile.
The preparations for the fair began a week or two earlier under the guidance of Village Panchayat members. The whole place was swept clean and shrubs and bushes were removed. A temporary bazar was set up and stalls were allotted to traders who displayed their wares for sale. These wares included items of public interest. On the appointed day villagers from far and near flocked to the place to see the fair called “Sadhu Mela’.
There was much dancing and merry making. Durms were beaten and rustic songs were sung. People passed singly or in groups through the bazar and enjoyed themselves. There were huge crowds in front of the toy shops and the confectioners shop. At some places acrobats and rope dances were showing their feats. At another place merry go-rounds were crowded with boys and girls, men and women. The jugglers and snake charmers had also a busy time. The snake charmer played on his flute pipe which was giving a melodious tune. Before his flute were dancing serpents. They seemed to be completely hypnotized by the sweet sound of the flute. .
Village games like kabhadi, tug of war, and wrestling were specially arranged. In wrestling the renowned wrestlers from the adjoining villages came here to participate. It was interesting to see them tugging, pushing and grappling with each other. The winner was awarded a prize of one thousand rupees. The most interesting event of the fair was the oxen race through a flooded rice field. The winner was awarded a brass shield and cash prize of two thousand rupees. This year, it was won by our “Mahesh”.
In the evening the fair broke up and people were seen hurrying back to their homes with arms full of toys and sweets. Many people who had came to buy or sell cattle were found joyful either with reins of good breed of cattle with them or the bags full of money. This fair which is held every year reminds people of the happy memories of the saint. It also brings the people of the far off villages together to bring harmony and unity among the villagers.
