TTT NEWS NETWORK
LUCKNOW | 19 JULY 2025
The famous Itahiya Mela, held every year during the Sawan months in Nichlaul Tehsil of Maharajganj district in Uttar Pradesh has commenced from July 11. The fair will continue till August 9, 2025.
Located on the India-Nepal border, this region becomes a vibrant hub of faith, cultural celebration, and rural tourism during the month of Shravan. Thousands of devotees and visitors arrive here every day. Under the rural tourism initiative, the Department of Tourism has introduced homestay facilities in the village of Itahiya, offering travelers a peaceful and immersive experience of village life.
This information was shared by Uttar Pradesh’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, Jaiveer Singh, on Friday. He stated that to promote rural tourism in Itahiya, the department has identified 10 homestays, out of which 4 are currently operational and the remaining 6 are under development. These homestays are clean, culturally enriching, and community-based, providing visitors the opportunity to live with local families and experience their way of life closely.
Located on the banks of the Chhoti Gandak River, the Shivratri Mela at the Itahiya Shiv Temple this year is presenting a new narrative of religious devotion alongside social and economic development. Devotees from both India and Nepal visit daily for the ‘jalabhishek’ (offering water) of the naturally emerged shivlinga, strengthening cross-border cultural unity and spiritual bonds. This year’s mela is not limited to religious rituals; it is emerging as a new identity for rural tourism, traditional crafts, and women-led enterprises.
Visitors to the Itahiya Mela are further enchanted by the rural boating experiences, stalls of handcrafted goods, and a food zone featuring traditional Purvanchali cuisine. Women from villages such as Itahiya, Bedihari, and Girahiya are now trained in crafts like moonj weaving, kantha embroidery, and incense stick making, and are selling their products at the fair. For the first time, many women are experiencing direct economic empowerment.
The renowned Itahiya Mela is also celebrated for its unique local delicacies. Hot litti-chokha, mausamibharta, thekua, and peda are prepared and served by local women. The aroma of spices and native grains creates an unforgettable sensory experience.
Visitors also get the chance to enjoy boating in the scenic Lamuhan Pond. Local youth trained in rural tourism are guiding visitors to ancient temples, the hanging bridge in Bherihari village, and narrating the region’s folktales and legends.
Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh stated that the Shravan Mela of Itahiya is a powerful example of how faith and tradition can become catalysts for development and cross-border collaboration. “We have turned this fair into a platform to empower rural women, artisans, and local youth. Such events are not only preserving heritage but also strengthening the prospects of sustainable and inclusive tourism in border regions,” he said.
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