A three-day Dussehra fair will be held at the historic Junga grounds

The famous princely Dussehra fair of Junga will be held this year with traditional enthusiasm on the historic grounds of the Government Senior Secondary School, Junga. Permission has been granted by the Honorable High Court for the three-day district-level fair, which will run from October 20th to 22nd. This has brought joy to the residents of the area.
Chairman Khush Vikram Sen and Senior Vice President Pankaj Sen of the Keonthal Heritage Archaeological Culture and Temple Restoration Committee stated that the committee had filed a petition in the High Court seeking permission to hold the Dussehra fair on the school playground. The petition argued that government offices and educational institutions would be closed during the fair from October 20th to 22nd due to gazetted and local holidays. After hearing the case, the High Court granted permission to hold the Dussehra fair on the school playground.
It is noteworthy that the High Court has banned the holding of fairs and political events on the campuses of educational institutions. Consequently, the committee, keeping historical tradition in mind, sought special permission from the court. Two years ago, due to lack of permission, the Dussehra fair had to be held outside the palace of the then Keonthal State and in the police grounds.
Pankaj Sen explained that the Dussehra festival in Junga has been celebrated on the historic grounds of the Government Senior Secondary School since the princely era. According to belief and tradition, the tradition of the king of Keonthal setting the effigies on fire remains a historical hallmark of the fair even today.
Given the fair’s ancient tradition and cultural significance, it has been granted district-level status. Originally, the festival was held for just one day, but over time, it was expanded to a three-day event to make it more attractive. During the Dussehra festival, large numbers of people from various parts of the Keonthal State arrive. This year, permission to hold the fair at the historic grounds has paved the way for the revival of this ancient tradition at its original location.