CM opens Shivratri fair, leads procession

Mahesh Chander Sharma

Sundernagar, March 8

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today inaugurated the week-long international Shivratri fair.

As per the tradition, he performed puja at the ancient temple of Raj Madhav, the presiding deity of Mandi Estate and the Shivratri fair. He led a colorful procession which started from Deputy Commissioner’s office and concluded at the historical Paddal ground.

Around 200 deities accompanied by ‘bajantris’ playing the traditional musical instruments, (a part of tradition hill orchestra) along with devotees, contingents of the Himachal police, Home Guards and contingents from different schools were the key attraction of the colourful procession.

Addressing the gathering on the inauguration of the centuries-old traditional fair, the Chief Minister said the fairs reflected the rich cultural heritage (dev sanskriti) of this state. It was only here that hill gods and public danced together.

He said it was evident from the history that the civilizations which failed to preserve their culture and customs had completely vanished. “Our identity was our unique culture and traditions and there was need to preserve it”, he said.

He announced an increase in the ‘nazarana’ (honorarium) of deities by 10 per cent and welcomed the deities who had assembled from all corners of the district to participate in the fair. He also released the souvenir of the historic Shivratri festival brought out by the Shivratri Mela Committee. Later, he inaugurated exhibitions by departments.