Fairs and Festivals of Medinipur bring out the colours of Medinipur in the most eloquent way. Medinipur has a rich heritage exhibiting both religious festivals and the specialized fairs. Medinipur district thrives to be the home of diverse communities, saints and devotees. Therefore along with the humdrum of religious festivities the populace also observe the birthdays and departing days of eminent personalities or saints, devotional gatherings or meetings are arranged and this number would stand 730 or more Medinipur is the town of the brave patriot and points towards the memoirs of the personality whose sacrifice and its after math is till observed amidst the nook and corners of Medinipur. As for example in the yaer1906, Krishi-Shilpa Mela was arranged in Old Jail Ground of Midnapore town, where, Khudiram, the brave patriot boy made an assault against police, as they tried to take him in their custody.
Gandhi Mela in Medinipur had been an ardent attempt to set a movement against the British rule, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the father of the nation, came to Medinipur four times. First time, on 20th September, 1921, he inspired the people for advocating in Non-Cooperation, in a gathering at College-Collegiate Ground. Second time, on 4th July, 1925, at Gope Palace, next day at Charka and Khadi Exhibition, on 5th July, he met the people in Darma maidan at Contai. On 1934, at Kharagpur, and fourth time, on 25th December to 29th December, 1945, at Mahisadal, and Sutahata on 30.12.1945, at Kokra, Irinchi, he stayed at Krishna and Contai from 31.12.46 to 02.01.46. Swadeshi Mela was arranged in these very places, where he came and stepped. Even today, Ektarpur, a place near Mahisadal, a mela (fair) is arranged still today, which starts for five days on 25th February of every year in the holy memory of Gandhiji. Thousands of Hindu and Muslims come from surrounding villages to attend this fair.
Charak Gajan Melas are arranged in 17 to 18 places of this district. Among them, most age old is Jhareswar Charak Gajan Mela of Keshpur P.S. which was probably initiated 300 years ago. This mela continues for seven days. Other important fairs of this category are Kandore at Garbeta, PS, Basanta Roy of Raskundu, Hajarlinga Shiva of Nayagram, Kedarkunda fair of Chapaleswar Shiva at Debra. Rashmela is arranged in several places of this district, which are arranged on the eve of winter season. There is a fair, which is held on Loada, under Debra P.S, the Rath Mela. It continues for two days. Rathjatra is held in the full moon day of Chaitra at Keshiary and arranged by `Suddha Bhakti Niketan`.
Tribal Festivals and Fairs owing to the veneration and adulation of tribal deities in this district and even their festivals are very popular e.g. Karampuja, Bandhanparab(Bhimraj, Dhandevi and Ghaghra), Basini, Birinchi Thakur, Rankini, Bhairab, Banam, Jahu, Salui, Kaloray, Saharag, Kalamdadan, Banga, etc. Among these fairs mention should be made of `Saraganjat Mela` at Sarengajan near Chandrakona. To worship the Bonga deity men and women gather here and on 3rd day of Magha, they start their festival with songs, dance and instruments. This fair was initiated two hundred years ago.
In the tribal village, called `Betjharia` near Garbeta-Goaltore region, a fair is arranged to observe `Saharay Puja` which means reverence of dwelling place (Guhapuja). In the very day of Saharay Puja, in every house, sacrificed beast/ goat is given to the ancestor and cooked meat is given to the invited guests. Safrat festival is occurred in Paush Sankranti and Salui Puja is in Phalgun. The last one is very important, as by custom, a sal tree is worshipped to pay homage to the creator of the universe.
The Bhairabsthan (abode of Bhairav) is in Bhairavdanga, a place in Odgoda, one and half mile from Jhargram-Silda route. There was a great influence of Bhairab Thakur in the surrounding places. Ruler of Silda was also a devotee of power-deity.
Bhairab of Silda-Odgoda is surrounded with age-old trees and enshrined on an altar with his pitcher like image (Kalas murti).
In Medinipur district, many fairs are arranged to celebrate or observe the Islamic festivals. Among them, Urs festival (2-4 Phalgun) in Mianbazar of Medinipur town and Masnad-e-ala (Hijli) of Khejuri-Boga are very famous.
X-mas fair (Baradiner Mela) is arranged in the Church School Campus (Nirmal Hriday Ashram) every year, this is also very famous. Dantamahatsav of Radhagovindajiu is held in their temple at Gopiballavpur (Jhargram sub-division). This is an age-old festival.
In every Jaisthya month, Dantamohatsav of Gopiballavpur is held, which relates to Radhagovindjiu. A fair is started for 12 days in a large space. This fair dates back to 300 years. Vaisnav devotees of Bengal and Orissa gather here. This fair is also famous for `Bulbul dance`. Almost 350 stalls are installed here, where agricultural tools handicrafts and utility goods made of bamboo and cane are sold. There are enough arrangements of Kirtan, Cinema, Circus and Jatra.
On the south side of Kubai River, a 3 k.m. stretch from Chandrakona-Nayabasat, under a big Banyan tree, mother Chamunda, or better known as Ma Damdama is enshrined. She is believed to be a watchful deity. She protects people from wild animals and worshipped throughout the calendar. She is worshipped specially and on Durganabami, goat blood is offered to her.
With the patronage of Jhargram Rajbari, on the Sukladadwasi of Bhadra, a straight sal tree is worshipped and planted and a chhata(umbrella) is fixed upon it. This tree is 50/60 feet in length, and revered by the Brahmins and then `chhata` is spreaded upon it. This is called `Indradhwaj`. Apart from Jhargram, this ritual is also observed in Medinipur and Abasgarh.
