Feb 17, Kathmandu- Madar Baba Mela, the center of joint faith of Hindus and Muslims, has started from today.

The fair, which started at Daunne Danda in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-6 of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Sustapur), will continue till Falgun 14. Thousands of Hindu and Muslim devotees from Nepal and India have come to the Madarbaba Mela. Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality Chairman Ghanashyam Giri said that there has been a crowd of visitors and market vendors since last Friday.

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."

The tradition of the abbot of Mahalbari Mosque, Amirullah Ansari, sitting on the throne of Madari Danda at the fair has been continued this year as well, said Nuren Shah, ward chairman of Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-6. “Last year, one million devotees visited the fair, and it is estimated that the same proportion of devotees will come this year too,” said Chairman Shah.

Madar Baba is known to have performed penance in many countries, including Nawalparasi in Nepal and the Phulbari Park area in Butwal. It is believed that by making a vow here, those who cannot have children will 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 since there have been various incidents due to alcohol consumption in the past years, the notice has been issued to prohibit the sale of alcohol during the fair this year.

He said, “Security mechanisms including Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Agency, Nepal Army Disaster Rescue Team, and buffer zones will be deployed for the security of the fair.”