T Morigaon
The historic, traditional Jonbeel Mela got under way along the bank of Jonbeel (a huge waterbody like crescent moon) in Morigaon district of Central Assam today with fervour and enthusiasm..The century old Mela started today with the 'Royal Feast ' organised by old Gobha king Dip Sing Deoraja.The Mela generally starts from Thursday after Magh Bihu (harvesting festival of MakarSangkranti in Assam). It is significant because it portrays the old economic models(the barter system of goods market) of 14 Tiwa tribe kingdoms of Central Assam and Meghalaya .The Mela is held for three days continuously from Thursday to saturday. As the tradition goes, the hill tribes from Jayantia district of Meghalaya come to Jonbeel Mela to exchange their agricultural products with food items of the plain people. According to historical facts, the royal marriage between Prince of Gobha King namely Langbor of Central Assam and the princess of Jayantia king namely Hillali along the bank of the Jonbeel during 15 th centuary on the next Thursday of Magh Bihu ..Remembering this historic marriage, the Tiwas tribe people along all ethnic groups of Adsam still observe this Mela with festive spirit.
The Assam government last year sanctioned Rs 2 cores to develop the Jonbeel Mela site. The Chief Minister,Assam Dr HB Sarma directed the officials of the government to sanctioned at least 30 bighas of land to install a museum and tourist centre at Jonbeel Mela spot. However,the Jonbeel Mela tourists spot and Museum project yet to be completed due to the land problems.Jursing Bordoloi,Leader of the Tiwa Rajdarbar who is also the Secretary of the Jonbeel Mela Organising Committee said the Jonbeel Mela project of Assam government remain incomplete due to the lack of compact land. However,Bordoloi said that nearby land measuring only 10 bighas were purchased under the initiatives of Chief Minister..Assam. Moreover. the state goverment sanctioned Rajbhatta @Rs 40 thousand per anum to each Tiwa Raja of 18 old Rajas of Central Assam,Bordoloi added. One UNESCO team is doing a film on Jonbeel Mela this year,Jursing Bordoloi further said.
