Gujarat’s Madhavpur Mela’s first cultural integration with North-East

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : In a unique initiative, the famous Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat will see its first-ever cultural integration with the North-East with which it is said to share its roots.

Disclosing this at a media briefing in New Delhi on March 24, 2018, Minister of State for Culture, Dr Mahesh Sharma said that the Ministry of Culture is organizing the Madhavpur Mela from March 25 to 28 March, 2018, at Madhavpur Ghed, District Porbandar, in Gujarat in a grand way. He said that the purpose of this integration is to bring various parts of the country especially the North-East close to each other under the banner of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ announced by PM Narendra Modi, according to a PIB release.

The Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat shares its connect to the Mishmi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishmi Tribe traces its ancestry to the legendary King Bhishmak and through him to his daughter Rukmini and Lord Krishna. For the first time ever, the festival will celebrate the immortal journey which Rukmini undertook from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat with Lord Krishna, Sharma explained. Bhismaknagar, located near Roing in the lower Dibang Valley district, also finds mention in Kalika Purana.

The Culture Minister said that the IGNCA, Manav Sangrahalay of Ministry of Culture, and States of Gujarat, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and others have joined hands to give a new dimension to the festival. A jatha of 150 persons from the North-East will be given a traditional welcome at Madhavpur Mela as representatives of Rukmini’s family. The entire concept of celebration this year is in the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ campaign of the Prime Minister and symbolizes unity in diversity of the country and establishes the East to West connect, he said. 

Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Raghvendra Singh said that some of the local sites and temples connected to the Madhavpur festival have been upgraded by the Ministry of Culture and connecting the North-East through such kind of events and cultural exchanges will now be made a regular feature.

Madhavpur Ghed, a small but culturally significant village, is the place where, according to folklore, Lord Krishna married Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmaka. Madhavpur lies on the seashore close to Porbandar. A 15^th century Madhavrai temple marks the site. This event is commemorated by a cultural fair held every year commencing on Ram Navami. A colorful chariot carrying the idol of Krishna circumnavigates the village and the festivities usually continue for five days.