Discover Malnad Mela: Chikmagalur's Vibrant Cultural Fair

Dive into the vibrant culture of Chikmagalur at Malnad Mela. Explore local crafts, music, and flavours. Plan your visit now!

The small town of Chikmagalur is well-known for its rich cultural heritage. Every year, the culture of Chikmagalur is brought alive by the vibrant cultural yearly fair called the ‘Malnad Mela’.

This fair celebrates the heritage of Chikmagalur and brings together not just the locals, but also tourists from all over, to enjoy the culture, traditions, local art and crafts and cuisine of this town.

Malnad Mela: It’s History

Back in the day, the Malnad Mela started off as a small communal gathering, wherein people of the town would come together to trade and also to showcase their local art, crafts and indulge in Chikmagalur’s traditional cuisine.

Over the years, this “mela”, became more modernized and grew to a more elaborate level, wherein more people joined in and the mela was thrown open to not just the localities, but also to tourists.

At present, the organizers of the Malnad Mela, take effort to keep up the Malnad traditions and revive and showcase the customs of the past to its visitors.

They include religious rituals, cultural performances and community celebrations as well, apart from its other aspects.

In the present day, the Malnad Mela is used as a means to encourage local tourism and to also help boost the economic opportunities of the local community.

Malnad Mela: What to Expect?

If you’re a first timer to the Malnad Mela, I’m sure you’re eager to know what to expect. Well, there’s lots to do and see, rest assured you can never get bored!

Here are some things you can expect at the Malnad Mela:

1. Cultural Folk Performances: Performances of folk dances like Yakshagana, tamasha etc.

2. Local handicraft stalls: Stalls with local artistry like pottery, wood carving, bamboo making etc.

3. Games and Amusement Activities: Fun fair games and amusement rides for adults and children to enjoy and spend time.

4. Organic Produce Local Vendor Stalls: Stalls with organic produce like coffee, honey, spices, papads, etc.

5. Traditional Malnad Cuisine: Enjoy the local flavours with traditional Malnad food items like akki roti, obattu, gasagaje payasam, chigli chutney, pathrodes and more.

6. Other Shopping Stalls:Other shopping stalls include handicrafts, textiles, fresh agricultural produce, sale of different types of seeds for planting purposes and more such shopping stalls.

Malnad Mela: When Does It Take Place?

To be up-to-date on when the Malnad Mela will take place, you can enquire locally about the dates, since the date may vary from year to year.

Some of the best sources for enquiries are the Chikmagalur District Tourism Office, local newspapers and local news channels, tourism boards, local cultural organizations, etc.

The Takeaway

If you’re planning to make a trip to Chikmagalur to witness and be a part of the Malnad Mela, then make sure to book your accommodation with us!

At Shanthi Kunnj, we can ensure that you’ll have the best stay, while you enjoy the traditional and cultural community fair organized in Chikmagalur.

Check out all the details you need to know about the bookings on our official website.