Going to the Mela
Chapter-2
Class-3 CBSE
A mela Mela (from Sanskrit for "gathering") is a traditional fair in India. The word “mela” means a gathering of people. Many people come together at a mela to enjoy and celebrate. Melas are colorful and full of life. There are many stalls that sell toys, clothes, bangles, and handmade items. People also enjoy tasty food like sweets, snacks, and local dishes.
One of the biggest melas is the Kumbh Mela. Many people from different places come there for worship. Smaller melas are held in villages and towns during festivals. A mela is a place where people meet friends, enjoy together, and feel happy.
The mela has finally come to the town. Nita and Radha are getting ready early in the morning to go to the mela. They are very excited and cannot stop talking about it. The mela is a little far from their home, so they have to take a bus to reach there.
After some time, Mohan Chacha called and said that his family would meet them directly at the mela. They would take a city bus and then an auto-rickshaw to reach the mela ground. Radha clapped her hands and said, “Wow! There are so many of us going together. We are going to have a lot of fun at the mela. Children even, We prepare for a mela by planning carefully so that we can enjoy safely and happily.
On the way to the Mela:
Sneha and Rohit are not only Nita’s neighbours, but also her close friends. They were very excited and were getting ready to go to the mela. “Sneha, get ready fast. Nita’s family will be here soon,” said their mother. “Ma, I am almost ready. I am just checking if I have taken everything I need,” replied Sneha. After some time, their father said, “It is time to leave. Nita’s family has arrived.” Soon, everyone started walking together towards the bus stop. Nita held Dadiji’s hand and walked slowly with her so that she would not feel tired. They walked carefully on the road and watched the vehicles coming from both sides.
Children when you are going to:
On the way to the mela, we should plan properly so that our journey is safe and fun. First, we decide how we will travel, like by bus or auto, and leave home on time. Everyone should stay together, especially children and elders. Children must hold the hand of an elder while walking on the road.
We should follow traffic rules and walk on the footpath. While travelling in a bus, we should sit properly and not stand or jump. We must keep our hands and head inside the bus window for safety. We also carry water bottles and light snacks so that we do not feel thirsty or hungry. We talk politely and enjoy the journey. By planning well, we can reach the mela safely and happily. When we reach the mela, we should get down carefully from the bus and gather at one place. Elders should count the children to make sure everyone is there. We should decide a meeting place in case someone gets lost. Then we walk together into the mela ground and listen to our elders. We should not run in the crowd.
We enjoy looking at the colorful stalls, buying toys or small items, and eating food from clean places. Children should play games and enjoy rides only with permission. We take short rests, drink water, and keep the area clean. After enjoying the mela, we gather again and return home safely and happily.
At the Mela
Both the families reached the large parade ground where the mela was being held. At the same time, Mohan Chacha and his family arrived in an autorickshaw. Everyone met happily and started walking towards the entrance together.
At the entrance of the mela, there was a big map showing all the stalls and their locations. This helped visitors find their way easily. Nearby, an ambulance, a police jeep, and a fire engine were parked to keep people safe in case of any emergency. There was also a “Lost and Found” booth where volunteers were ready to help children or elders if they got separated. Seeing that Dadiji was tired, Mohan Chacha and Rohit quickly brought a wheelchair so that she could move comfortably. As they entered the mela ground, they saw many colorful stalls with games, toys, sweets, and many interesting items. The children felt very excited and happy. They first went to a toy stall and bought spinning tops, puppets, phirkis, and dolls. After that, the children enjoyed fun rides on the merry-go-round and the giant wheel. Sneha and Radha also visited a stall to buy bangles and other small decorative things.
“Let us go and watch the magic show now,” said Nita. Everyone agreed and enjoyed the magic show, which made them laugh and clap. Later, Mohan Chacha called the children and said, “You have enjoyed a lot. Now it is time to eat. But remember to wash your hands properly first.” The children went to the water point and washed their hands carefully. They enjoyed eating many tasty foods like gol gappas, chaat, chhole kulche, hot jalebis with rabri, kulfi, and many other delicious items. After eating, they made sure to throw all the waste into the dustbins to keep the mela ground clean. As they were getting ready to leave the mela, Dadiji suddenly said, “Look children! Who is walking with the police officer?” All the children answered together, “Dadiji, it is a police dog!”
At the Mela: What to Do, See, and What Not to Do
What to Do at the Mela
Stay with your family and listen to elders.
Look at the colorful stalls selling toys, games, sweets, and crafts.
Enjoy fun rides like the merry-go-round and giant wheel with permission.
Watch shows such as magic shows, puppet shows, and folk dances.
Wash your hands before eating and drink clean water.
Eat food from clean and safe stalls.
Use dustbins and keep the mela clean.
Decide a meeting place in case someone gets lost.
What to See at the Mela
Toy stalls with tops, dolls, puppets, and balloons.
Food stalls with snacks and sweets.
Game stalls with fun activities.
Rides and swings for children.
Safety services like police, ambulance, and the Lost and Found booth.
What Not to Do at the Mela
Do not run in the crowd.
Do not go anywhere alone.
Do not talk to strangers.
Do not push others or stand in long lines without care.
Do not throw waste on the ground.
Do not eat food without washing hands.
Do not go on rides without permission.
Following these rules helps us enjoy the mela safely and happily.
A mela is a fun and colorful fair where many people gather to enjoy, shop, and celebrate. There are stalls selling toys, clothes, bangles, and delicious food. Children enjoy games, rides, swings, merry-go-rounds, and the giant wheel. People can also watch magic shows, puppet shows, folk dances, and music performances. Melas are well-organized with safety measures, such as a Lost and Found booth, police, ambulance, and fire services. Visitors are expected to stay with their family, follow safety rules, wash their hands before eating, and keep the place clean.
Overall, a mela is a place to have fun, enjoy food and games, see exciting stalls and performances, and spend happy time with family and friends. It is full of joy, laughter, colors, and togetherness.
A mela is organized for many good reasons:
To Celebrate Festivals and Traditions: Many melas are held during special festivals, like Diwali, Holi, or harvest festivals. They help people celebrate together.
To Enjoy and Have Fun: Melas have games, rides, shows, and delicious food so that children and adults can have a happy time.
To Bring People Together: A mela is a place where families, friends, and neighbors meet, talk, and spend time together.
To Promote Culture and Art: Folk dances, music, crafts, and traditional toys are shown at melas, helping people learn about their culture.
For Trade and Business: People sell toys, sweets, clothes, and handmade items at melas. This helps small sellers earn money and share their products.
For Religious or Spiritual Reasons: Some melas, like Kumbh Mela, are held near rivers or temples for people to pray, take holy baths, and do spiritual activities. In short, melas are organized to have fun, celebrate, learn, meet people, and support small businesses.
Kumbh Mela – The World’s Biggest Festival
Kumbh Mela is the largest festival in the world and is known as the biggest gathering of people on Earth. Millions of people from all over India and even other countries come together to take part in this holy event.
The festival is held on the banks of four sacred rivers:
Ganga in Haridwar
Yamuna in Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Godavari in Nashik
Shipra in Ujjain
Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years at each of these places, while a smaller version, called Ardh Kumbh Mela, happens every 6 years. The main purpose of the Kumbh Mela is spiritual. People come to take a holy bath in the rivers, which is believed to wash away sins and bring blessings. Pilgrims also visit temples, perform prayers, and listen to religious discourses.
Apart from spiritual activities, Kumbh Mela is a place to see Indian culture, traditions, and rituals. There are processions of monks and saints, colorful decorations, and people wearing traditional clothes. The festival is carefully organized with arrangements for food, water, accommodation, medical aid, and security for the millions of visitors.
Kumbh Mela is not just a religious event; it is also a celebration of unity, faith, and culture, bringing people from different parts of the world together in one place.
A mela is a fun and colorful gathering where people come together to play, eat, shop, and enjoy shows. It is a place to celebrate festivals, meet friends and family, and learn about culture and traditions. By following safety rules, staying with family, and keeping the place clean, everyone can have a happy and safe time.
In short, a mela is full of joy, laughter, colors, and togetherness. It is a special place where everyone can enjoy and make happy memories.
Thank You,
Nanditha Akunuri
