Patna: Rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles have led to the decline of several old customs and traditions in Patna. One such fading tradition is the Somwari Mela (Monday fair), once a major attraction during the holy month of Shrawan.Older residents recall that the fair was earlier organised on large grounds stretching from the present-day Patna Medical College and Hospital area to the Collectorate. Even after the construction of Civil Court and BN College buildings in the 19th century, the fair continued on a smaller scale for several years.Sanjiv Kumar Yadav, general secretary of Kala Sanskriti, Patna City, said the biggest attraction of Somwari Mela was its vibrant local markets, with stalls selling toys, sweets and puja items. “We also used to enjoy traditional delicacies such as ‘kaddu and nariyal lachcha’ (sweet pumpkin and coconut strands), ‘sakarpara’, ‘anarsa ki goli’ and jaggery jalebi,” he said.He added that Marufganj and Malsalami areas of Patna City, known as major wholesale centres for traditional kanwars used by pilgrims, continue to attract visitors during Shrawan.The Somwari Mela is still organised near Chowk police station in Patna City and at Gai Ghat near Gauri Shankar Temple. However, the scale of the fair has reduced significantly over the years. While the tradition continues in some areas, it has almost disappeared from Mahendru. The availability of digital entertainment and changing preferences among younger generations have also affected interest in traditional fairs.Sujata Chandra, vice-principal of a private school and a Patna City resident, recalled the atmosphere of the fair during her childhood.“Every Monday during Shrawan, thousands of people from different parts of the city visited the fair. We eagerly looked forward to going there with our families. The fair was not just a place for shopping but also a time to meet people, enjoy amusement rides, apply ‘mehendi’, eat sweets, and buy wooden toys and flutes,” she said.She said the fair gradually lost its old charm after shifting to Gai Ghat near Mahatma Gandhi Setu and now attracts fewer visitors compared to earlier decades, particularly the 1980s.
