By King RJ
Bhadarwah, Sept 01:- Three-day annual holy Mela Patt, devoted to Lord Vasuki Nag, the presiding deity of Bhadarwah valley, began on Thursday evening with full religious fervor and gaiety after two years of pandemic restrictions.
To commemorate the historic meet between Mughal emperor Akbar and King Nag Pal of Bhadarwah, three day historic Mela Pat started at ancient Mohalla Khakhal of Bhadarwah.
Mela Pat- a symbol of Nag culture, is celebrated every year on Nagpanchmi and hundreds of people converge at Khakhal Mohallah to pay obeisance to the bravery and spiritual power of Raja Nag Pal.
After two years of pandemic restrictions in which only necessary rituals were performed, this year hundreds of people from different parts of the UT of J&K irrespective of cast and religion are participating in the festival.
The festival was first celebrated in 16th century by King Nag Pal, the ruler of small principality then called Bhadarkashi presently known as Bhadarwah.
The historic festival is being organized after 7 days of conclusion of the Kailash Yatra in which thousands of people drawn from different parts of the state and elsewhere participated to take blessings of Vasuki Nag. 
DDC Chairman Doda Dhananter Singh Kotwal, Vice-Chairperson Sangeeta Bhagat, Chairman Organizing Committee Advocate Naresh Gupta, President Sanatan Dharam Sabha Bhadarwah Virendar Razdan, DDC Councillor Yudhvir Thakur, Mast Nath Yogi, Advocate Chanderkant Gupta and Neeraj Manhas were also present on the occasion.
The traditional Dikko Dance, a unique folk dance, was also performed, which is a regular feature of the festival and people irrespective of religion, cast and gender participate in it, which makes this festival a symbol of Peace, Pride and communal harmony.
Main organiser of the festival, Advocate Naresh Gupta said that this festival is not only the symbol of religion but also depicts our proud historical background and mutual brotherhood. Perhaps this is the only festival of India which is being celebrated since last more than 600 years without any untoward or ugly incident, which clearly shows communal harmony of this area and respect for Raja Nag Pal irrespective of religion.While expressing his resentment over the attitude of Tourism department especially Bhadarwah Development Authority (BDA) for their failure to promote this annual event, Naresh Gupta said that we were expecting from BDA that they will promote this festival to attract tourists but they are in deep slumber and there is dire need to wake up them.
He applead LG Administration to announce this festival as heritage festival and get this featured in tourism’s annual calendar.
On the occasion, display of 'Patt' was performed with complete the rituals. The royal robbing that was presented by King Akbar to Raja Nagpal of Bhadarwah in his honour was also displayed during the ‘Mela Patt’.On the occasion, people also installed many stalls of eatables, toys, religious books and others at the venue.
Vice Chairperson DDC Doda Sangeeta Bhagat said that I was mesmerized and had goosebumps after participated in the unique rituals of this ancient culture, this fair which is a symbol of Nag Culture has got all the ingredients to be showcased to the outer world and surely attract national and international visitors.
Sangeeta Bhagat said that this is an indication of post modernism that's why young generation is returning to its roots. I enjoyed our tradition and this is one of the most enjoyable experience of my life and I simply loved it. We hope all people get blessings of Lord Vasuki Nag during this auspicious festival. “We will try to bring it on the pilgrimage tourism, so that outer world can also experience this unique culture and tradition, ” Sangeeta added.
Meanwhile elaborate security arrangements were made in and around the venue of festival to thwart any untoward incident.
SHO Bhadarwah Jatinder Singh Rakwal was present along with his team at the venue to supervise the security arrangements.
SHO Bhadarwah Jatinder Singh Rakwal said that the elaborate security arrangements has been made in and around the venue of festival.
