The week-long International Shivratri Fair was declared closed on Monday by Himachal Governor, Acharya Dev Varat in keeping with centuries old traditions after performing prayers in the temple of the official deity, Madho Rai.
The Governor participated in the grand Shobha Yatra, the divine procession of over 215 hill gods and goddesses, to the sprawling Padal Stadium.
Dressed in multi-colored costumes, hundreds of devotees presented a captive scene. The town resounded with the melodious tunes of hill orchestra and tribal music instruments played by over 2000 musicians locally know as Bajantris.
Men women and children lined up on both the sides of the road and were throwing flower petals of the deities.
The procession reached Padal Stadium where the Governor addressed the mammoth gathering. He said the fairs and festivals manifest the rich cultural heritage preserved since centuries.
Exhorting youths, the Governor said the future of the country depended on their wisdom, health and valour. He cautioned against destructive and anti-national elements. They have to fight against the menace of drugs which our enemies were trying to spread in our country.
He exhorted them to work hard to make India strong and prosperous. He urged them to remain vigilant against destructive and anti-national forces which were out to divide various classes and communities so far living together peacefully sine centuries. let youths frustrate the evil designs of those who were conspiring to generate disaffection among them, he stressed.
Governor also visited stalls of exhibition and appreciated that most of the exhibition stalls were very useful to the rural gathering educating them about achievements of science and technology which would go a long way in ushering an era of prosperity if they adopt them in agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, animal husbandry and other spheres by diversifying their activities round the year.