SILAPATHAR, April 13 � The historic Malini Mela is going to be celebrated at Likabali on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border from April 15 to 20 with various programmes, including exhibition and sale of traditional food items.
Malini Mela is celebrated every year on the eve of spring on Ram Navami, but this year due to the general election the fair has been delayed.
The organising committee has decided to celebrate it at the Malinithan, which overlooks the mighty Brahmaputra. It is a place of high sanctity, where stone images of Hindu gods and goddesses were found.
The ruins of the big temple bear images of Lord Indra on Airavata, Kartikeya on Peacock, Surya on Chariot, Ganesha with his mouse and Nandi the Bull. Images of Shiva and Parvati can also be seen at the site.
According to popular Hindu belief, Lord Krishna and Rukmini married and stayed here on their way to Dwarka. They were guests of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. Excavation of the temple site was done in 1968.
Meanwhile, a strong reception committee has been constituted with T Bage, SDO Likabali as president and Chimo Taipodia as secretary.
The secretary of the organising committee informed that the main attractions of the Mela will be fashion show, Miss Malini contest, circus, Ananda Mela and traditional food fair of Arunachal Pradesh.
Thousands of devotees from north-east India, as also from the rest of India are expected to throng the Malini temple during the festival, the organising committee informed.