MAGHI MELA

1. Context 

Maghi Mela has been celebrated in the city of Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab for centuries in memory of 40 Sikh warriors who were killed fighting the Mughals in the Battle of Khidrana in 1705.

It was after this battle that Khidrana was named Muktsar, or the pool of liberation.

2. Key Points

• Over the years, political conferences became the main attraction in this mela, and often set the political tone for the state.
• Since 2018, however, there have been attempts to reduce the number of conferences and de-politicize the festival.
• This year, the festival is being celebrated on January 14.

3. A history of Maghi Mela

• Maghi Mela is held in the holy city of Sri Muktsar Sahib every year in January or on the month of Magh according to the Nanakshahi calendar.
• It is one of the most important festivals for Sikhs.
• The festival marks the martyrdom of 40 Sikh soldiers in a battle against the Mughals.
• In the 1700s, the Mughals and Sikhs were at constant war with each other.

 4. Battle of Khidrana

• The story of the Battle of Khidrana in 1704 during the siege of Anandpur Sahib by the Mughals 40 Sikh soldiers deserted their posts and fled.
• Upon arriving at their village near Amritsar, a woman named Mai Bhago scolded them and rallied the fighters to return to Anandpur Sahib in the service of their Guru.
• The freshly motivated soldiers along with Mai Bhago set off towards Anandpur Sahib to help Guru Gobind Singh hold the fort against the Mughals.
• They met the Guru at Khidrana where they took on a large Mughal army, sacrificing their lives in the process.

• About a century ago due to the scarcity of water in the region the mela started being organized on the Sankrant of Magh month.
• This tradition has continued, giving the festival its present name.
• The Mela starts on Maghi day and continues for another day or two.
• People from different parts of the state and even outside come to Muktsar to take a holy dip in the Sarovar (lake) of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and enjoy the festivities.

5. Political conferences  

• Back in the day, people would arrive in the city days before the actual Maghi day.
• In the evenings, there would be Kavi darbars (poetry sessions) where politicians would speak.
• This is likely how the political conferences, which can be traced back to the mid-1950s, started.
• Over time, the conferences were increasingly organized in the daytime, during the actual mela.
• Lengthy, overnight stays became less common due to changing lifestyles and priorities.
• Back in the day, people used to display their agricultural equipment for about 10 days, and roadside ferries used to continue for about a month.
• Relatives used to live in each other’s houses for a month during those days.

6. Major attractions in Mela

• Nihang Sikhs have already arrived in Muktsar with their horses.
• Various varieties of cattle will also be displayed for sale.
• A site has also been allotted for amusement rides and swings.
• Beyond the livestock and the rides, Maghi Mela is expected to have stalls selling various items from crockery to toys and trinkets. 
• Over the years, political conferences had started overpowering the mela a large number of people used to come only for the conferences in buses hired by political parties.
• Now, however, since political conferences are limited, devotees are actuallycoming to see the mela.

For Prelims & Mains

Source: The Indian Express