MANDI: The Weeklong International Mahashivratri festival started with the traditional Raj Madhav Jaleb from the Madhorai temple to the historic Paddal Maidan in which over 200 Devis and Devtas and their devlus and thousands of devotees from all corners of Mandi participated in this temple town here today.
From Tarna Temple to Bhootnath Mandir, the Chhoti Kashi echoed with runny tunes of dhols, Shehnais and Nagaras played by the Bajantris who accompanied the Jaleb procession from Madhorai temple to Paddal Maidan
Thousands of devotees dressed in their traditional attire participated in the procession carrying their local deities dancing all the way up to the Paddal ground.
As a tradition, Chief Minister after paying obeisance at Raj Madhav Rai, presiding deity of Shivratri fair, participated in the traditional “Shahi Jaleb”.
Chief Minister congratulated the people on the occasion of Mahashivratri saying that this festival of Dev Samaj and the Government is spending more than Rs. one crore on Dev Samaj for the first time.
International Shivratri Mahotsav Mandi has cherished high traditions which depict prosperity, brotherhood and love, he said.
During the seven-day festival, the presence of deities in Mandi city adds a unique contour to Dev Samagam. It is our common responsibility to protect and conserve the rich traditions and culture of the Devbhoomi so that coming generations could be proud of it, he said.
Sukhu said that despite the economic condition of the state being in disarray, there would be no let-up in development works and the state government has started special endeavours to bring the state's economy back on track, to remove corruption and to save the young generation from drugs.
To improve the economic condition, a water cess has been imposed on the power projects and to curb corruption, the duration of the tender process has been reduced.
Chief Minister said the upcoming budget of the present government would focus on education, health and addressing the challenges of the future.
Under the scheme, the expenses of higher education of orphan children, along with pocket money of Rs. 4,000 per month and once a year a tour package with high-class stay and travel would be borne by the state government.
Integrated houses would be constructed at Sundernagar of Mandi district and Jawalamukhi of Kangra district at a cost of Rs. 60 crore each, in which facilities on the lines of the Chief Minister's office will be provided, he added.
Chief Minister inaugurated the exhibition at Paddal Ground set up by various Departments, Boards and Corporations and evinced keen interest in it.
He also released a colourful souvenir on International Shivratri Fair brought out by the Mela Committee.
PWD Contractors Welfare Association presented a cheque of Rs. 12.31 lakh to the Chief Minister towards Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Kosh.
Deputy Commissioner Mandi and Chairman International Shivratri Mahotsav Organizing Committee Arindam Chaudhary welcomed the Chief Minister and said the Shivratri Mahotsav of Mandi is a unique cultural repository of Himachal Pradesh in which over 200 deities are participating.
President Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee and Member of Parliament Pratibha Singh congratulated the people on the auspicious occasion of Shivratri and said this is a much-awaited moment for the region when people of Mandi get a chance to seek the blessings of the deities.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur, MLA's Chander Shekhar, Anil Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Gaur, Suresh Kumar, Former Minister Thakur Kaul Singh and Prakash Choudhary, Senior Congress leaders Sohan Lal Thakur, Surender Pal Thakur, Dr. Jai Kumar Azad, Champa Thakur, Pawan Thakur, Sanjeev Guleria, Jeevan Thakur, Naresh Chauhan, Vijay Pal, Chet Ram Thakur, Chairman KCCB Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Arindam Choudhary, Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
