The ancient town of temples, known as Chhoti Kashi, is all set to celebrate week-long Shivratri fairs this year with a difference. Mandi town wears a festive look now. Although, MahaShivratri is celebrated all over the country, in this cup-shaped Himalayn town it is being celebrated as a week-long State fair since 1526, during the rule of Raja Ajber Sen. Mandi was a princely state for centuries and the kings of the state were the devotees of lord Shiva.
A galaxy of over 125 hill gods and goddesses converge on the sprawling Padal ground, the venue of the week-long Shivratri fairs, beginning this month from February 18 and concluding on February 23. A rousing reception awaits the hill deities, who pay their obeisance to lord Shiva at the temple of Bhunath, the presiding deity of Mandi town since the birth of the town in 1526.
From a mere State fair it was first declared as national fair and finally its status was elevated to international fair. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh will formally inaugurate the fairs on February 18 at the sprawling Padal Stadium. Governor will declare the fair closed on February 23, amidst traditional fanfare and religious fervour.
Shivratri assumes a special significance during the week-long festivities marked by sports competitions, modern exhibition colourful cultural nights in keeping with the centuries old royal traditions from the days of the princely rulers of the erstwhile Mandi State when Shivratri used to be a great imperial celebrations with religious fervor and gaiety.
Mandi rulers were devotees of lord Shiva. The temples of Bhutnath, Trilokinath, Panchvaktra and Ardhnarishwar are the prominent among centuries old temples numbering over 125 built in Shikhra style. These are considered the finest monuments and specimen of hill architecture. Shivratri fairs are being celebrated here since the very foundation of the present Mandi town in 1526 during the rule of Ajber Sen.
legend has it that the land on which the present Mandi town has been established was once a dense forest where cattle used to graze. A villager was surprised to observe that his newly calved cow was not yielding the desired quantity of milk. He kept a vigil on the movements of the cow and was astonished to see that the cow was spilling her milk on a stone. The news, it is said, spread like a wild fire in the town and also reached the Raja, who verified it personally.
In the meantime, it is said, another development took place. Raja Ajber Sen saw lord Shiva in the dream who ordained him to dig below the stone. His joy knew no bounds when he found a large-size Shivlinga buried beneath the stone where the cow used to spill her milk. On that very site the king built the temple of Bhunath and the foundation of the present Mandi town was also laid simultaneously by shifting the capital from Bhiuli to the left bank.
To mark this great occasion a grand congregation of hill gods and goddesses was called to celebrate the birth of the new town on the pious occasion of Mahashivratri Parva. For many years the rulers of the state used to prolong the celebrations for a month. As the years rolled by the fairs have shrunk to a week.
The star attraction of the fairs is the Shivratri exhibition where privates, corporate, public sector organizations and government departments set up their stalls highlighting and focusing on the latest technical and scientific developments in various spheres like agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts and industry for educating the rural folk.
Daily evening cultural programmes in which artists from home and abroad of international fame take part mesmerize the audience. The local artists of Himachal Pradesh also regale the crowd. The star attractions this year are performances of Monali Thakur, Nooran Sisters, Dev Negi, Reena Chander, Ahesan kureshi, Shadab Faridi and Mohammad Rafran besides a colourful Punjab cultural nights.
Several innovative measures have been taken by Sandeep Kadam, Deputy Commissioner, and his team of officials to make the fairs a grand success. The work of renovating and refurbishing the historical monuments and town is on a war-footing. All historic and important buildings of the town are tastefully painted and the work of renovating temples is being undertaken. For the first time, Shivratri Mela website has also been launched.
District police chief, Mohit Chawla, said elaborate traffic arrangements have been made to ensure congestion- free movement of Mela revelers and the movements of all types of vehicles except two-wheelers has restrained and rationalized after a meeting with the concerned officials of traffic police, transport, magistrates and transporters. There will be no restriction on vehicles carrying patients to hospitals, he added.
The measures to ensure law and order will be strictly implemented. A strict vigil on vagabonds, pickpockets and anti-social elements would be kept with the help of CCTV cameras at key-points, he said.