Eight-century-old fair draws devotees to Saharanpur shrine

The annual Chhadi Mela, a pilgrimage fair steeped in religious tradition, has begun at Mhadi on Gangoh Road in Saharanpur. The festival, dedicated to the venerated saint Jaharwir Goga Maharaj, marks eight centuries of continuous observance by devotees across the region.

The three-day fair sees large numbers of worshippers participating in the ritual offering of blue flags and wooden sticks, known locally as chhadi, as they make vows and seek divine intervention. The practice remains an integral part of the region's spiritual calendar, with families returning generation after generation to fulfill their religious commitments at the shrine.

Local authorities have deployed significant security measures to manage the influx of pilgrims and ensure public safety. The administration has installed closed-circuit television cameras and stationed police personnel throughout the fair grounds to facilitate smooth conduct of the festivities.

The fair represents a significant religious and cultural event for communities in the region, demonstrating the enduring nature of faith-based traditions in contemporary times.