Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the International Shivratri Mahotsav in Mandi on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of fairs and festivals as rich repositories of diverse cultures and traditions. During the seven-day festival, the presence of deities in Mandi city adds a unique contour to “dev samagam”. Sukhu also expressed his common responsibility to protect and conserve the rich traditions and culture of the devbhoomi so coming generations could be proud of it.
The festival is being held at the historic Paddal ground, where thousands of devotees dressed in traditional attire participated in the procession, carrying their local deities. More than 200 deities participated in “Shahi Jaleb”, the traditional procession, from almost all parts of the district.
The chief minister paid obeisance at the temple of the famous and principal deity Raj Madhav Rai and participated in the traditional procession from Shri Raj Madhav Rai Temple to the Paddal ground. He also inaugurated an exhibition put up by various departments, boards and corporations, and released a colourful souvenir on the International Shivratri Fair brought out by the organizing committee.
Sukhu spoke about the economic condition of the state and how there would be no let-up in development works despite it being in disarray. He mentioned that the state government has started special endeavors to bring the state’s economy back on track, to root out corruption and to save the young generation from drugs. The government has imposed a water cess on power projects to improve the economic condition, and the duration of the tender process has been reduced to curb corruption, he added.
The chief minister further stated that the upcoming budget of the present government would focus on education, health, and addressing future challenges. He also announced that the government would provide Rs 1 crore to the Dev Samaj and allot half bigha land around temples from the allottable pool. Sukhu assured that adequate funds would also be made available for the maintenance of Sanskriti Sadan in Mandi so that other programs related to the Dev Samaj could be organized in a better way.
The festival has attracted devotees and tourists from all over the world, showcasing the rich culture and traditions of the region. The state government’s support and commitment to preserving these traditions have been appreciated by the community. The chief minister’s announcements on the economic and social fronts are also being hailed as a positive step towards the betterment of the state.
(PTI inputs)
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
