In view of the swine flu threat during the famous Jhanda fair which would start from Wednesday, the management committee of the fair is taking all precautionary measures to prevent spread of infection during the fair. The fair would formally start on Wednesday when the present head of Udaseen sect Mahant Devedra Das preside over a ceremony to change the mast of the flag (Jhanda).
The fair attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad and as this being organised with threat of swine flu looming large the organisers are also cautious. The spokesperson of the Mahant Indiresh Hospital Bhupendra Raturi told The Pioneer that a special medical camp was set up in Darbar Sahib premises. The devotees would be distributed free medicines in the health camp.
He said the committee was also undertaking an awareness drive to inform the devotees about the preventive measures they should take to stop the infection from spreading. Raturi said that a team of doctors would examine the cases of fever and symptoms of cold. The Indiresh hospital has set up two isolation wards where the suspected cases of the decease would be admitted.
Raturi said the fair committee had adequate stock of the flu medicine and the facility of rapid test for swine flu was also made available with the hospital. Meanwhile, the stream of devotees continued to enter the city to participate in the Jhanda Fair. The Fair is celebrated to commemorate the birthday and arrival of Guru Ram Rai in Doon valley in the year 1676. Guru Ram Rai was the eldest son of Shri Guru Har Rai the seventh Guru of Sikhs. He performed some miracles in the court of Moghul emperor Aurungzeb due to which he was expelled from Sikh religion.
On the request of Aurangzeb the King of Garhwal Raja Fatheh Shah allotted some land in Doon valley to Guru Ram Rai. In the year 1676 Guru Ram arrived at Doon valley on his birth day on fifth day after Holi and set his Camp (Dera) and the day is celebrated as Jhanda Fair.