As per the latest reports, the three-day internationally acclaimed Rajgir Mahotsav will be organised from November 29 this year. Referring to this, Nalanda DM Shashank Shubhankar added that the schedule was finalised in consultation with the state tourism development department, which is also the co-host of Mahotsav. He further added that the artist names would also soon be announced by the tourism department.

The DM, while revealing details of the events that will be included in this year’s Mahotsav, stated that the seven -day ‘Gram Shri Mela’, is aimed at promoting rural art, which would also be organised within the Mahotsav area. He informed that book fair, food mela, fun zone, agriculture mela would also be organised.

He stated that the traditional ‘tonga’ and ‘palki’ decoration competitions, painting contests and Sadbhavna March would also be organised during the three-day extravaganza. And to ensure that the event is carried out smoothly, the district administration has formed 32 cells, which will be supervised by senior district officials.

The Rajgir Nritya Mahotsav was initiated by the then Union tourism minister H K L Bhagat and then Bihar CM Bindeshwari Dubey in Sone Bhandar area in 1986, when it used to be a low-key affair and was mostly attended by officials and limited number of visitors, till it was brought to sprawling Qila Maidan in 2011 by the then Nalanda DM Sanjay Kumar Agrawal after CM Nitish Kumar expressed his desire to shift the Mahotsav to a place which was accessible to all.

However, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) restricted the use of protected Qila Maidan, after which the Mahotsav was shifted to RICC and hockey ground in 2017.

1. What is Rajgir Mahotsav?
   Rajgir Mahotsav is a beautiful representation of history, religion, art, and culture and has a reputation not only in Bihar but also at the national and international levels.
2. From when is this festival celebrated?
   Since 1986, the tradition of celebrating this festival has been around since 1986 .
3. When will this festival be celebrated this year?
   From November 29.