Five-Day Harina Mela to Start at Mukteshwar Dham Temple in Potka from June 15

Jamshedpur/Potka: To mark the auspicious Rajo Sankranti, Kolhan’s five-day Harina Mela will commence on June 15 at the Mukteshwar Dham temple premises. Ahead of the fair’s official opening, vibrant religious and cultural activities have already taken over the region.

Following traditional rituals, temple committee members and local villagers are carrying the sacred Bhoktadang from the Harina temple across various villages, extending formal invitations to the public.

On Saturday, hundreds of villagers and temple priests, accompanied by traditional drums and music, carried the Bhoktadang to the Udal village residence of Potka MLA Sanjeev Sardar. In his absence, his family members warmly welcomed the procession in accordance with age-old customs. Upon reaching Udal village, the group performed traditional prayers at the MLA’s residence.

Chief Priest and Village Head Bajrankan Dandapat explained: “This tradition has spanned decades and has now evolved into the cultural identity of our region.”

MLA Sanjeev Sardar attended the event as the chief guest to inaugurate a spectacular Chhau dance program organized in Harina village on Saturday, which drew a large crowd of local residents. The fair will begin by following the rituals of Goriyabhar, Jamdali, and Nishaghot on June 14, followed by Patbhokta on June 15. The fair will continue until June 20, and the organizers have urged all residents of the region to participate and make the event a grand success.

Highlighting the significance of the event, MLA Sanjeev Sardar described the Harina Mela as a vital symbol of Kolhan’s cultural and religious heritage. “The Harina Mela is not merely a religious event; it is a celebration of our region’s unique cultural identity,” Sardar stated.