Madhyabindu (Nawalparasi), 17 February: The Madarbaba Mela, a center of joint faith of Hindus and Muslims, has begun today. The fair, which began at Daunne Danda in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-6 of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Sustapur), will continue till Falgun 20.
Thousands of Hindu and Muslim devotees from Nepal and India have come to the Madarbaba fair. The crowd of devotees and market vendors has been gathering since last Friday, said Ghanshyam Giri, chairman of Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality.
A big fair is held at Madarthan, located 21 kilometers east of Bardaghat on the East-West Highway, a week before the Hindu festival of Shivaratri. The fair, which runs until Mahashivaratri, attracts lakhs of visitors from Nepal and India. Chairman Giri informed that security arrangements have been made in the fair area to ensure smooth conduct of the fair.
“Madarbaba place is the largest and most historical place of the Muslim community in Nepal. Although it is a religious place especially for the Muslim community, Hindus and Buddhists of all religions come there,” he said. “The entrance to this place is at Mahalbari, Susta Rural Municipality-2, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Paschim) and the main tomb is at Madari Danda, Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Purba). Madari Danda can be reached by hiking.”
Nuren Shah, ward chairperson of Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-6, said that the tradition of Amirullah Ansari, the abbot of Mahalbari Mosque, sitting on the throne of Madari Danda during the fair has been continued this year as well. “Last year, one million devotees visited the fair, and it is estimated that the same proportion of devotees will come this year as well,” said chairperson Shah.
Madar Baba is known to have performed penance in many countries, including Nawalparasi in Nepal and the Fulbari Park area in Butwal. It is believed that by making a vow here, those who are childless will be able to have children.
The District Administration Office, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Sustapur) has issued a notice banning the sale of alcohol around the fair area. Assistant Chief District Officer Madhav Prasad Sharma said that the notice has been issued to prohibit the sale of alcohol during the fair this year as various incidents have occurred due to alcohol consumption in the past years.
He said, “Security mechanisms including Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Agency, Nepal Army’s Disaster Relief Team, and buffer zones will be deployed for the security of the fair.”
