The fact that this fair turns the town of Mandi into a great traditional spectacular is one of the main reasons it is so beloved by the populace. More than 200 deities from the Mandi district are said to congregate during this celebration, beginning on the day of Shivaratri.
Mandi Shivaratri is a festival whose exact origins are unknown, although historical accounts reveal that it has ties to the royal family. This celebration is associated with Ishwari Sen, a former ruler of this region, according to history.
According to legend, he was imprisoned after losing his kingdom in a conflict with Sansar Chand of Punjab in 1792. Twelve years later, the Gurkha invaders freed him and returned the state to Ishwari Sen.
In addition, he had a banquet in honour of his visit to the state capital. The King invited everyone to a large feast to mark the occasion, and this gathering has since been known as
Why Did Those Who Saw This Period Adore Lord Krishna?
According to folklore, all of Suraj Sen's sons perished during this time. According to legend, the King gave the realm to Madhavraiji out of extreme grief (the reincarnation of Lord Krishna). After the incident, the King saw himself to be nothing more than Kanha's subservient servant, therefore he did so.
This is also seen as one of the explanations for why, even today, the state's chief minister still worships Lord Krishna before officially opening the fair, and only then do the celebrations start.
Significant Mandi Shivaratri Fair Attractions 2023
Shobha Yatra, first. The Shobha Yatra procession is the focal point of the Shivaratri Fair in Mandi. The procession mostly begins at Bhootnath Temple, where participants pull gods on chariots towards Mandi while reciting hymns. In essence, this is done to honour Mado Rai, the local deity and Mandi's protector.
Bhootnath Temple, second. The construction of this temple began in the sixteenth century, and its history is exceedingly fascinating. Folklore holds that the emperor had a dream in which Lord Shiva, popularly known as Bhootnath, left one of his lingas in the Samkhetar village of Mandi. Intriguingly, he discovered the linga the following morning exactly where he had imagined it to be. As a result, he made the decision to construct a temple that he named Baba Bhootnath Temple. The Mandi Shivaratri Fair thereafter got underway.