Makar Sankranti 2026: Five-Century-Old Tulsi Chara Mela Begins in Medinipur

• The traditional Tulsi Chara Mela, a five-century-old fair, has commenced in Medinipur during Makar Sankranti 2026.
• Located between Patashpur and Sabang on the banks of the Keleghai River, the fair will run for seven days, drawing large crowds.
• The fair is centered around the Tulsi Temple in Gokulpur village, Patashpur, and is named after it.
• It commemorates Sri Sri Gokulananda Goswami Vaishnavacharya, who instructed his disciple to offer soil at the Tulsi platform on Poush Sankranti for wish fulfillment.
• Devotees bathe in the Keleghai River and offer three handfuls of soil at Gokulananda Goswami's Tulsi platform, a tradition observed by thousands.

Why It Matters: Medinipur's ancient Tulsi Chara Mela, a five-century-old tradition, draws massive crowds for Makar Sankranti.