Malmas Mela, Rajgir
Once in about three years, the gods are said to move into Rajgir for a month
What it is
A month-long fair in the hot-spring valley during the intercalary month of the Hindu calendar, which falls roughly every thirty-three months. Bathing at the kunds, temples open around the clock, and a crowd that fills the whole valley for four weeks.
Why it matters
It happens only in a leap month, so it is missed by almost everybody who is not from Bihar, and the next one is years away.
How it works
- Rajgir's rooms are gone for the whole month. Stay at Nalanda or Biharsharif.
- The kunds are busiest before eight in the morning.
- Who it is for
- Anybody who can take heat and crowds together.
- Best season
- Whenever it falls
- Difficulty
- Moderate — heat and crowds
- Cost
- Free.
- When
- The intercalary month, roughly every 33 months
- Booking
- Rooms, early.
- Book ahead
- Two months
- Languages
- Hindi, Magahi
Where
- Rajgir (Griddhakuta): Hills where the Buddha and Mahavira taught
- Brahma Kund: Bathing in the hot springs is treated as purifying and curative, and the water is believed to be...
- Makhdum Kund: Muslim pilgrims come to bathe in the spring associated with Makhdum Sahib and to pray at the tomb
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