Gaya: Streets and prominent public spaces in Gaya will get a cultural makeover ahead of this year’s Pitripaksh mela, with paintings depicting pind daan, tarpan and other aspects of Bihar’s religious and cultural heritage.The district administration has launched first-of-its-kind initiative ‘Paint the City’ competition to encourage public participation in the city beautification drive and promote the annual event.The Pitripaksh mela will begin on Sept 25 and conclude on Oct 10. The decision to organise the competition was taken at a meeting chaired by district magistrate Shashank Shubhankar on Monday.The competition is open to students of govt and private schools, college students, residents of Gaya district and interested participants from other districts. Participants have been invited to create artworks highlighting Bihar’s cultural, religious and spiritual heritage, with a special focus on Pitripaksh rituals such as pind daan and tarpan.Suggested themes include historical and mythological stories associated with ancestral rites, Bihar’s folk art traditions and scenes from the Ramayana, including the traditional depiction of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita performing pind daan for King Dasharath.The administration has also invited artworks inspired by Mithila painting and other traditional art forms, centred on the theme of Pitripaksh mela 2026.Entries can be submitted online by email till Aug 20. In the first phase, participants will submit digital versions of their paintings. Shortlisted artists will then be invited to recreate their selected works on roads, walls and other public spaces identified by the district administration.“The initiative is intended to give Gaya a distinctive cultural identity during the mela while showcasing Bihar’s rich artistic and spiritual traditions,” the DM said, adding that selected participants would receive cash prizes and certificates of participation.The DM appealed to artists, students and other interested people to participate in large numbers and contribute to the city’s visual makeover ahead of the annual pilgrimage season.
