Eight-day Minjar fair inaugurated at Chamba

Balkrishan Prashar

Chamba, July 24

Himachal Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri today inaugurated the eight-day International Minjar Fair of Chamba, which is one of the major tribal carnivals of the northwestern Himalayas, by hoisting Minjar flag in the historic lush green Chowgan amidst singing of ‘kunjari malhar’ (folk songs of this alpine region).

Speaking on this occasion, Bharmouri said the Minjar fair was maintaining the age-old traditions of this gorgeous hilly region endowed with rich cultural heritage. He congratulated the people and wished them all-round development with a bumper crop to the region.

The minister also declared Minjar sports tournament open. Later, he inaugurated the exhibition of various government departments and non-government organizations displaying their activities.

A mass folk dance was performed on the theme of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ - a flagship campaign to save and educate the girl child.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Chamba Sudesh Mokhta, who is also chairman of International Minjar Fair Celebration Committee, accompanied by other officials, dignitaries and citizens of Chamba offered holy minjars (golden hue of maize blossoms) at the local historic Lakshmi Narayan and Raghuvira temples.

The Minjar fair is held in the month of Sawan, which heralds the beginning of ‘kunjadi-malhaar’ folk songs during the fair in the Chamba region praying to rain God Varuna for heavy rain for good harvest of their kharif crops. The fair would conclude on July 31 with the immersion of minjars in the Ravi.

More than one lakh visitors, including tourists from home and abroad, are expected to participate in the fair.

According to a legend, the Minjar fair dates to the 10th century. It marks the victory of King Sahila Varman over the King of Kangra. The defeated King presented blossoms of maize and paddy to King Sahila Varman.

Another legend has it that a sage in the Champavati temple on the bank of the Ravi performed a week-long yajna that changed the course of the river. This enabled the people to visit the Hari Rai temple across the Ravi.

Some playback singers of the cine world will give their concerts during cultural nights of the fair. Folk artistes from different parts of Himachal Pradesh would also perform.