Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the International Shivratri Fair with much fanfare and religious fervour at the sprawling Padal Stadium.Earlier in the day, he performed pooja at the temple of Madho Rai. Sovereignty of Mandi State had been vested long back in Dev Madhav Rai during the rule of Surya Sen who had no heir as all his 18 sons had died during his life time.
Hundreds of deities along with devotees and headed by Madho Rai carrying local music instruments and hill orchestra joined the divine march. Town resounded with the melodious tunes of the hill folk songs.Contingents of mounted police, home guards, NCC, police and military bands were the star attractions of the Shobha yatra. Braving bad weather chief minister, Government officials and elite of the town joined the divine march.
Thousands of town people dressed in their best lined up on both sides of the road and showered flower petals on the deities.At the venue of the fairs at Padal, Chief Minister unfurled the Shivratri Flag as a token of formal inauguration of the fairs in the traditional manner.Speaking on the occasion, he said fairs and festivals of Himachal Pradesh had gone a long way in preserving the rich cultural heritage of the hills. In the present time the fairs play a bigger role and provide exposure to the rural people about the advancement in various spheres of science and technology through the exhibitions by displaying modern instruments of agriculture and horticulture. Fairs also provide market for the sale of handicraft goods produced in villages, he added.
Singh also inaugurated the exhibitions organised by private, public and Government departments.Earlier the Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman of the Mela Committee, welcomed the Chief Minister and apprised him about the new and innovative features added to the Shivratri Fair this year