Bhubaneswar, Feb 11: Khandagiri hill and its peripheries started to be turning into an ambience of festivities as the much-awaited Magha Mela is round the cornor and saints and monks have started visiting the holy spot ahead of the annual fair. 

While religious rituals of Magha Mela will begin on February 16, the all glitering Jatra (opern theatre) parties will be staging their stunning performances from February 18. Lights, sounds and live shows will enthral visitors and the audience. 

Vendors have started putting their stalls at allotted places. 

In the meanwhile, Mela committed has reiterated government fair status to the age-old annual mela. 

Magha Mela, perceived to be the most auspicous religious fair, begins on the Saptami Tithi of the holy month of Magha. While saints and monks have started thronging the hill, more are expected to come after taking holy dip in the sea on the Chandrabhaga beach on the Saptami morning.   

Saints and monks have expressed unhappiness that the administration is not providing any support to them even the fair is significan given its religious values. The administration hs not provided light, water and toilets for them, the alleged. 

Six Jatra Committees have been allowd to play Jatra parties. Konark Gananatya, Bishwadarabar, Tulasi, Sai Samrat, Surya Mandir, Kalinga, Shibani, Ranga Mahal, Swarna Mahal, Swapna Mahal have been hired for stage shows. 

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