Binda Mela is a prominent fair held at the
Rankini Temple in
Ghatshila of
East Singhbhum District,
Jharkhand. It falls in the month of October.
In early times, a cruel scene named Binda Parab was enacted during this festival. Two buffalos are driven into a small field, and on a raised stage the king and his associates witness the ceremony. During the course of the ceremony, the king and the family priest sends arrows at the buffaloes and the others in the venue also repeat the same. Ultimately, the people hack them with axes till they are dead. It is also believed that there existed human sacrifice till 1856.
Presently, this festival is popular among the Santhals. A large number of articles such as utensils, sweet meats and ornaments are sold on this occasion.
