Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi has inaugurated the four-dayMaha Shivratri mela-cum-International Shiva Festival in Sivasagar on Shiva doul(temple) premises on Thursday.

The souvenir christened 'Borjamantra' has been released by founder of Sadin Pratidin group, Jayanta Baruah. One of the largest gatherings of people, the festival attracts pilgrims, sadhus and traders from other parts of the country and abroad.

The four-day festival will feature a host of programmes,including performances by cultural troupes from Nepal and Myanmar. Troupes fromother parts of the Northeast have also been invited.

The Sivasagar district administration is making elaboratearrangements. Several CCTVs have been installed and hundreds of lights havebeen put up along the Sivasagar tank.

Bhaona performances areslated for the concluding day, that is on February 23. This year, the culturalprogrammes have been organized at the park of Doulmukh where the statue ofmusic legend Bhupen Hazarika is installed.

The organizers areenthusiastic that the International Shiva Festival and Shivratri will invitemore footfalls that last two years.