Fair Pat Festival

• The three-day Mela Pat festival began on August 29 at Khakhal Mohalla in Bhaderwah of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir.

• The festival is dedicated to Lord Vasuki Nag, the presiding deity of Bhaderwah valley.

• Mela Pat has been celebrated since the 16th century to commemorate the meeting of Mughal emperor Akbar and Raja Nagpal of Bhaderwah.

• This year too, the festival continued its tradition and attracted hundreds of people irrespective of caste or religion from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir to pay tribute to the valor and spiritual power of Raja Nagpal.

• The festival is celebrated on the day of Nag Panchami, seven days after the conclusion of the Kailash Yatra.