World’s Oldest Ghost Fair in Madhya Pradesh | 06 Apr 2024

Why in News?

The Ghost fair, also known as ‘bhooton ka mela’ is a 400 years old fair organised every year in the village of Malajpur (Betul district), Madhya Pradesh.

• The fair attracts pilgrims, mystics, and curious travellers from across the globe.

Key Points

• Every year on the occasion of Basant Panchami a fair is conducted on the Tombstone of Hindu Saint "Gurusahab Baba".
  • This ghost fair is celebrated for three weeks, and people ‘possessed’ by evil spirits, visit the village to get rid of such negative energies.
• According to the legend, Malajpur Ghost Fair dates back to the 18th century when a man called Deoji Maharaj with magical powers, visited the village. Eventually he started controlling spirits and exorcising people.