Mela

Mela is a term used in the Indian subcontinent to describe a fair or festival, typically of religious or cultural significance. The word comes from Sanskrit melā, meaning assembly or confluence. Melas are often large gatherings that combine pilgrimage, worship, markets, music, dance and social exchange, and they are commonly held near temples, lakes, or sacred rivers.

Historically, melas emerged from pilgrimage routes and seasonal harvest or trade fairs. They serve as spaces for spiritual observance as well as economic activity, bringing together participants from wide regional areas. Many melas are organized by temple trusts, religious communities or local authorities, and they can last from a single day to several weeks.

Common features of melas include ritual bathing or purifications in sacred waters, devotional processions, sermon or discourses by religious leaders, and performances of music and dance. Temporary markets offer crafts, textiles, food and religious offerings, while participants may engage in feasting, shopping, or seeking blessings.

Notable examples include the Kumbh Mela, which is among the largest religious gatherings in the world and rotates among major sites along sacred rivers. Other well-known melas include regional fairs such as Pushkar Mela in Rajasthan, celebrated for livestock trading and cultural showcases. Melas continue to play an important role in community life, while also presenting modern challenges related to crowd management, infrastructure and sanitation.