mela

[ mey-lah ]

noun

1. a religious fair, especially one held in connection with a festival.
2. a throng of people.

mela

/ ˈmɛlə; ˈmiːlə /

noun

1. an Asian cultural or religious fair or festival

Word History and Origins

Origin of mela¹

1790–1800; < Hindi < Sanskrit melā assembly, company

Word History and Origins

Origin of mela¹

C19: Hindi, from Sanskrit mēlā an assembly, from mil to meet

Example Sentences

They held mass rallies ahead of elections and promoted the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage that drew millions of worshippers to a single town—an event Jha predicts will end up “one of the biggest superspreader events in the history of humanity.”

From Time

Unlike a free-for-all mela or fair, the Maha Kumbh this year would need specific passes, Covid-19-negative tests, and constant masking.

From Quartz

The mela or festival, over, without mishap or outbreak of special sickness, our return march took place.

From Project Gutenberg

Our conversation soon turned to the Hardwar Mela, which our unexpectedly-recovered friend had left exactly five days ago.

From Project Gutenberg

Unfortunately the mela is languishing for want of sufficient public support.

From Project Gutenberg

Mela also refers to a people quibus capita et vultus in pectore sunt.

From Project Gutenberg

And they said that the word went out at certain times and the people flocked to this Mela.

From Project Gutenberg