2008 Phalguna Mela in Khatushyamji

The 2008 Phalguna Mela in Khatushyamji was celebrated from March 16 to March 18, 2008 in holy place, Khatushyamji, Sikar, Rajasthan in India.

In Khatushyamji, Phalguna Mela is always celebrated in the month of Phalguna Shukla (or Lunar fortnight) from Dashmi (10th day of the lunar fortnight) to Dwadashi (12th day of the lunar fortnight), or just 3-4 days before Holi, the Festival of Colours.

People visited Khatushyamji from different places across the country. Many people carried nishans in their hands, and travelled several miles on bare foot. People from Kota started their journey to Khatushyamji on February 28, 2008, and after walking a lot reached the temple on March 16, 2008.

During these three days, about fifteen lakhs (1.5 million) people visited the holy place. Scouts and Rajasthan police made special arrangements for the Mela. Three queues of 5 Kilometers each with bamboo fencing were arranged in the town itself.

About half a million people travelled on bare foot from Reengus, 17 Kilometers away from the holy town. Pedestarians shouted slogans of Baba Shyam to get the enthusiam in all of them to cover the remaining distance to reach the temple. There were large Bhandaras, from Mumbai, Bathinda, Budhlada, Kota, Surat, Jaipur, etc. arranged for the pilgrims. They distributed free food to all travellers.