Going to the Mela – Class 3 The World Around Us Chapter 2 Notes & NCERT PDF

Class 3The World Around UsChapter 2NCERT book: Our Wondrous World - Class 3

Notes and a simple summary of Chapter 2 of the NCERT Class 3 The World Around Us book, with the official chapter PDF, flashcards, an MCQ quiz and an AI tutor for your doubts.

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Chapter 2: Going to the Mela

Introduction

In Chapter 2 a mela (fair) has come to town. Nita and Radha go to the mela with their father, their Dadiji, their neighbours Sneha and Rohit and their families, and Mohan Chacha (father's brother) and his family, who arrive by train. The chapter shows how families who live near and far enjoy things together, how we care for elders, and how to travel safely.

What's in this Chapter

  • Preparing for the Mela: Dadiji first says she cannot come because her legs hurt. Nita's father promises, "Don't worry! We will take care of you," and she happily agrees. She reminds the children to fill their water bottles. Mohan Chacha will reach the mela ground by city bus and then an autorickshaw.
  • On the way: Nita holds Dadiji's hand and walks her slowly to the bus stop, watching vehicles in both directions. Bus number 401 arrives. The conductor and Nita's father help Dadiji get on, and she sits on a seat reserved for older people. Rohit's father buys "five full and four half tickets". The children are told not to jump around and not to put their hands or heads out of the window.
  • At the Mela: At the entrance there is a map of the stalls, an ambulance, police jeep and fire engine, and a Lost and Found booth with volunteers. Mohan Chacha and Rohit bring a wheelchair for Dadiji. The children buy spinning tops, puppets, phirkis and dolls, ride the merry-go-round and giant wheel, buy bangles, and watch a magic show.
  • Eating together: Mohan Chacha reminds everyone to wash their hands before eating. They eat gol gappas, chaat, chhole kulche, jalebis with rabri and kulfi, then put all waste in the dustbin.
  • As they leave, they see a police dog with a police officer.
  • Kumbh Mela: The book says it is the world's biggest festival and largest gathering of people, held on the banks of the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari and Shipra, once every 12 years in Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik and Ujjain.

    • Key Ideas

  • Families who live near and far meet and enjoy together; neighbours are also close friends.
  • We must care for elders — hold their hands, help them board, use reserved seats and wheelchairs.
  • Road and travel safety: watch traffic both ways, sit properly, keep hands and head inside.
  • A mela has helpers: police, firefighters, medical attendants and volunteers.
  • Cleanliness: wash hands before eating; throw waste in the dustbin.
  • A sketch map helps us find places and routes.

    • Activities from the Book

  • Describe a trip you took with friends, neighbours or family.
  • Discuss why ambulances and fire engines are kept at a mela, and what the Lost and Found booth and police dog do.
  • Reading a Sketch: find Rohit–Sneha's and Nita–Radha's houses on the map, say whose house is closer to the parade ground, and trace the route from the police station.
  • Draw the route from your home to school.
  • Match mela workers (firefighter, volunteer, halwai, toy seller, puppeteer, bangle seller, police officer, medical attendant, mehendi artist) with pictures.
  • Role play: organise a mock mela in class with stalls, play money and buyers and sellers.

    • Words to Learn

  • Mela (मेला) — a fair
  • Conductor (कंडक्टर) — the person who gives tickets on a bus
  • Ticket (टिकट) — paper that lets you travel
  • Wheelchair (पहिया कुर्सी) — a chair with wheels for people who cannot walk far
  • Volunteer (स्वयंसेवक) — a person who helps others without being asked to
  • Ambulance (एम्बुलेंस) — vehicle that carries sick or hurt people
  • Fire engine (दमकल) — vehicle that puts out fires
  • Map / Sketch (नक्शा) — a drawing showing where places are
  • Stall (दुकान/स्टॉल) — a small shop at a fair
  • Chacha (चाचा) — father's brother

    • Tips for Parents & Teachers

  • On your next bus or auto ride, point out reserved seats and safety rules.
  • Draw a simple map of your street together and mark home, shop and school.
  • Ask grandparents how melas were different when they were young.
  • Set up a small "mela" at home with toys and play money to practise buying and selling.

    • Common Mistakes

  • Thinking the Lost and Found booth is a shop. It is where volunteers help people who are lost or who have lost things.
  • Thinking a police dog is a pet at the mela. It works with the police to keep people safe.
  • Forgetting safety rules: never put hands or head out of a bus window.

    • 💡 Key Learning Points

    • ✓Families and neighbours who live near and far enjoy going to the mela together.
    • ✓We care for elders: holding their hand, helping them board, using reserved seats and a wheelchair.
    • ✓Travel safety: watch vehicles in both directions, sit properly and keep hands and head inside the bus.
    • ✓Police, firefighters, medical staff, volunteers and a Lost and Found booth keep people safe at a mela.
    • ✓We wash hands before eating and put waste in the dustbin; a sketch map helps us find places and routes.

    👨‍🏫 Teaching Tips

    • →Start by asking children to share how they prepare for a trip, then read how Nita and Radha prepared.
    • →Walk the class through the sketch map in the book; let them trace routes with a finger before writing.
    • →Have each child draw the route from home to school and mark two landmarks on the way.
    • →Invite a police person, firefighter or doctor (or show pictures) to explain their role at crowded places.
    • →Organise the mock mela with locally available toys, puppets, play money and clay models.
    • →Practise caring for elders through role play: helping a 'Dadiji' to a bus seat.
    • →Link hand-washing and dustbin use to the scene where the children eat at the mela.

    📋 Assessment Questions

    1. Can the child name the people who went to the mela with Nita and Radha?
    2. Can the child state two safety rules for travelling by bus?
    3. Can the child explain the purpose of the Lost and Found booth and the police dog?
    4. Can the child read the sketch map and say whose house is closer to the parade ground?
    5. Can the child name three workers seen at a mela?

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    All chapters in Our Wondrous World - Class 3

    1. 1. Family and Friends
    2. 2. Going to the Mela
    3. 3. Celebrating Festivals
    4. 4. Getting to Know Plants
    5. 5. Plants and Animals Live Together
    6. 6. Living in Harmony
    7. 7. Water – A Precious Gift
    8. 8. Food We Eat
    9. 9. Staying Healthy and Happy
    10. 10. This World of Things
    11. 11. Making Things
    12. 12. Taking Charge of Waste