The sacred town of Rajgir in Bihar erupted in devotional fervour on Sunday, 17 May 2025, as the world-renowned Malmas (Purushottam) Fair commenced with grand Vedic rituals and spiritual pageantry. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary formally inaugurated the fair by hoisting the ceremonial flag and performing rituals at the revered Brahmakund complex, calling the event 'a symbol of India's cultural and religious heritage.'

Inauguration and Opening Rituals

The opening ceremony at Brahmakund was marked by resonant Vedic chants, conch shell sounds, and the thunderous refrain of 'Har Har Mahadev' echoing across Rajgir's ancient hills. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary led the proceedings in accordance with Vedic traditions, lending state-level prominence to what is one of eastern India's most significant spiritual congregations.

Addressing the gathering, Choudhary described the fair as not merely Bihar's spiritual identity but a living emblem of the nation's composite religious heritage — a framing that underscores the event's growing national profile.

Religious Significance of Malmas

The Malmas period, also referred to as Adhimas, holds deep sanctity within the Sanatan tradition. According to religious belief, 33 koti deities are said to reside in Rajgir during this period, transforming the town into a concentrated spiritual hub. Millions of devotees travel from across India and abroad to take holy dips in the Brahmakund and other sacred hot springs, seeking purification and spiritual merit.

A centrepiece of the fair is the series of four Shahi Snans (royal baths), during which saints and seers from various Akhadas and Maths participate in ceremonial bathing rituals — a tradition that draws enormous crowds and media attention. The nearby Vaitarani River also holds deep significance, with devotees performing Pind-daan and Tarpan rituals believed to help ancestors attain moksha (liberation).

Administration Gears Up for Record Turnout

Officials anticipate a turnout surpassing the 21.9 million devotees who attended the previous edition of the fair — a figure that places the Malmas Fair among the largest religious gatherings in the country. To manage the anticipated surge, the Bihar administration has deployed an extensive infrastructure, including:

14 temporary shelter camps, medical aid posts and emergency services, drinking water and sanitation facilities, affordable food centres, and a zig-zag barricading system for crowd management.

Cultural and Tourism Dimension

Beyond its religious core, the Malmas Fair draws pilgrims, saints, and tourists alike, blending devotion with cultural spectacle. Rajgir — already significant as a Buddhist and Jain heritage site — takes on an additional layer of importance during this period, reinforcing Bihar's standing as a destination of multi-faith historical significance. This is the fair's latest edition in a centuries-old tradition that continues to grow in scale and national recognition.

With the hills and temples of Rajgir resonating with devotional chants, the fair is set to remain one of the defining spiritual events of 2025 in eastern India.