The famous Chadaka Mela of Chandaneswar, a prominent Shaivite site, would be observed following certain basic rituals in view of the Covid restrictions.  The decision was taken by the district administration following discussions with the local elected representatives and Sevayats in a preparatory meeting for the ensuing annual grand festival to be held between April 2 and 13.

It has been decided that only 14 devotees will be observing the thread ceremony (Upabitadhari), while the congregation of outside devotees will not be allowed keeping the Covid fear in mind.The antigen test for all persons including devotees, sevayats and others associated with the 12-day-long rituals would be conducted prior to the annual grand event. Further, all the rituals would be performed as per strict Covid guidelines.

It may be noted the Chadak Mela of Chandaneswar has registered its prominence over the years. And hundreds of devotees, majority of them from Bengal, come to the temple for observing a strict penance. In the last three days, three major events such as Kamini Vivaha, Nila and Pata rituals are observed.  Besides devotees, lakhs of people congregate to witness the pious event.

Stress too was laid on the sanitation, illumination, supply of drinking water, deployment of fire brigade etc, besides keeping of law and order in area.The preparatory meeting under the chairmanship of local MLA Ananta Das was held where district Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarthy, local tehsildar, police ADMO Sasanka Sekhar Chaudhary and other officials were present.