Mandi Shivratri Festival, Himachal Pradesh (short film)

• By thegreenbunk
• July 9, 2015
• With 0 comments

Mandi town, also known as ‘Varanasi of the Hills’ is situated on the banks of Beas River in the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh.

Regarded as an International fair because of its extensive publicity, International Mandi Shivratri Fair is the annual fair held for 7 days in the Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh starting with the Hindu festival of Shivratri.

During the time of Shivratri, Mandi town is always charged up with an exciting atmosphere.

The fair starts on the day of Shivaratri, which falls in the month of Feb/March every year.

A weeklong International Mandi Shivratri Fair is held here every year attracting lot of tourists from all over the country and even abroad.

Rich colors and unique tradition of the hill people are witnessed during these festivals.

For the entire week the town of Mandi celebrates the arrival of hundreds of local deities on richly decorated palanquins.

Devotees first pay homage to Lord Vishnu and then take part in the procession known as Shoba Yatra.

It is a lifetime experience to watch the procession as all the hilly gods and goddesses’ heads for Mandi to various parts of the district being carried on Palanquins or on their back or even on vehicles.

Hundreds of local deities beautifully decorated from all over the district of Himachal Pradesh, starts arriving in Mandi town at the Paddal ground, the large open ground where the main festival is being held.

Song, dance and lots of exciting activities can be seen during the fair.

The palanquins of the deities are swayed to the drumbeats and folk music to signify their happiness after visiting the temples of Vishnu and Shiva.

The metal images of the gods clad in colorful red, green and yellow attire are garlanded with fresh flowers, and brought luxuriously to the town in great comfort from far off distances.

The mornings are devoted to religious and ritualistic while the evenings are marked with various musical and cultural programs.

Mandi Shivratri Fair is celebrated with full passion in India and Nepal. Hindus specially the followers of Lord Shiva celebrate it with much devotion. Devotees stay awake all through the night and worshipped the deities. On the last day of the festivities, prayers are chanted and after paying homage to Lord Shiva all the deities assembled in Mandi depart to their original abodes.

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