Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday inaugurated the week long International Mandi Shivaratri Fair by participating in the Pagri Ceremony and Pooja at Shri Raj Madhav Temple in Mandi town, also known as Chhoti (little) Kashi. He also presided over the Sobha Yatra from the temple to Paddal Mela Ground. The festivities will culminate on February 28.

Presiding over the opening ceremony of International Shivratri Fair at Paddal Ground, he said that it was vital that we respect our tradition and culture as only those societies thrives that respect and love their culture. He said that the Mandi Shivratri not only reflects the deep faith of the people of their Gods and Goddesses, but it provides an opportunity to the people for socialisation. He said that this fair has also emerged as the major fair for commercial activities.

Thakur said that in the present era of cut throat competion, people usually have little time to participate in the fairs, which was a matter of concern. He said that the state was known as Dev Bhoomi, as lives of the people of the state are deeply influenced by the local Gods and Goddesses. He said that almost all the villages of the state have their own temple and own deity. He said that Mandi town was also known as Choti Kashi as there are over hundred temples in the town.

He said the state government has spent over Rs 72 crore on providing twenty four hour drinking water supply to the Mandi Town, adding that Shiv Dham would also be developed in Mandi town, besides construction of Heliport to attract the tourists to visiting the town.

Thakur said the government was striving hard to construct International Airport at Balh area of Mandi and added that a multi storey parking would be constructed in Mandi town.

He also announced that trekker hut would also be constructed in the town to facilitate tourists visiting the town. He announced increase of ten percent in the ‘Nazarana’ of the deities participating in the Shivratri. He also announced ten percent increase in honorarium of ‘Bajantaris’ on the occasion.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated exhibition and SARAS Mela at Paddal Ground on the occasion and also visited the exhibition put up by Information and Public Relations Department, which depicted the journey of all Chief Ministers of the state. Thakur was also handed over the Baton (Torch) by the district administration regarding the campaign the administration has launched regarding ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’. 

He released the ‘Shivratri Margdarshika’ a booklet on rituals and customs regarding International Mandi Shivratri. He also released the souvenir brought out by the organising committee.

Deputy Commissioner Mandi cum Chairman Mela organising committee Rugved Thakur said that about 216 deities have been invited to the event this year. He said that the  fair is particularly famous as this special fair transforms Mandi town into a venue of grand celebration when all gods and goddesses, of the district assemble here, starting with the day of Shivaratri remain here for seven days till 28th of this month. He also detailed various events being held during the seven day mega event.

The Mandi's Mahashivratri, a centuries-old festival, starts a day later it ends in the rest of the country. The celebrations date back to 1526 when the town was founded during the rule of Ajbar Sen. He "invited" all local deities to mark the founding of the new town.

Like the week-long Kullu Dussehra festivities, Mandi's Mahashivratri also sees a congregation, in which there are both divine and temporal aspects.

Every year, the festival attracts scores of tourists. Many researchers also come here to study local gods and goddesses that arrive in beautifully decorated palanquins amid sounds of trumpets and drums.

During the first day of the festival, Lord Madho Rai, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the chief deity, leads the procession. The assembled deities follow him in beautifully decorated palanquins, as per protocol, and assemble at the Bhutnath temple here.

Three such processions, locally called "Jaleb", would be taken out on the opening, middle and concluding days of the festival, organisers said.

Mandi, located on the Chandigarh-Manali national highway, is dotted with more than 80 temples built in typical hill architecture. The prominent temples are those of Bhutnath, Triloki Nath, Jagannath, Tarna Devi and Jalpa Devi.

The rulers of Mandi were devotees of Lord Shiva. Legend has it that ruler Sen (1499-1534) saw in his dreams a cow offering milk to an idol of Lord Shiva. His dream became reality because, according to legend, he actually once saw a cow make a milk offering to an idol. That was when the ruler constructed a temple in 1526, the Bhutnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The foundation of Mandi town was laid at the same time, and Sen later shifted his capital here.

The administration has since been inviting deities to the Shivratri festivities here, ever since the rule of princely states came to an end. The administration also offers an honorarium to the "kardars" (attendants of deities) for participating in the festival.